Authorized User on an Account Questions

[kxkxkxx]

I was added to someone's credit card as an authorized user since they had opened the card back in 2002 and I wanted the extra length on my credit report. However, this person is now approaching 47% utilization.

2 questions:

1. When I see  total revolving/open account balances, is it also counting THEIR debt on that card even though I am only an authorized user? It seems like it is.

2. Thinking of removing myself if the above answer is yes so I can get their debt off my total, how much of a hit will I take removing that long length period? My credit cards are about 5 yrs old on avg. So it will be a dip for longest card opened, but thinking it is better than having their debt on there?

thanks in advance!

[FireMedic1]

Its coming down to AU's really isnt worth it anymore give/take. With that util %. Run!

[SouthJamaica]

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@kxkxkxx wrote:

I was added to someone's credit card as an authorized user since they had opened the card back in 2002 and I wanted the extra length on my credit report. However, this person is now approaching 47% utilization.

2 questions:

1. When I see  total revolving/open account balances, is it also counting THEIR debt on that card even though I am only an authorized user? It seems like it is.

2. Thinking of removing myself if the above answer is yes so I can get their debt off my total, how much of a hit will I take removing that long length period? My credit cards are about 5 yrs old on avg. So it will be a dip for longest card opened, but thinking it is better than having their debt on there?

thanks in advance!

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Yes you should remove yourself.

I don't think you'll take a hit at all.

[JoeRockhead]

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@kxkxkxx wrote:

I was added to someone's credit card as an authorized user since they had opened the card back in 2002 and I wanted the extra length on my credit report. However, this person is now approaching 47% utilization.

2 questions:

1. When I see  total revolving/open account balances, is it also counting THEIR debt on that card even though I am only an authorized user? It seems like it is.

2. Thinking of removing myself if the above answer is yes so I can get their debt off my total, how much of a hit will I take removing that long length period? My credit cards are about 5 yrs old on avg. So it will be a dip for longest card opened, but thinking it is better than having their debt on there?

thanks in advance!

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I can only speak for myself but my AU accounts CLs or balances were not factored towards my personal overall revolving UTI with FICO8 scores. It may differ with older scoring models, such as some of the mortgage scores. The only thing I got out of them was a positive account history reporting. However, the accounts I've had were always under 5% uti so I cant answer what might happen such as a scoring penalty for example, if the account were to go over the 50% uti threshold. It's been my experience that AU accounts are having less and less positive impact as they once did with FICO scoring models. They are fully factored into Vantage scores, if that means anything to you. If you're that concerned about it, I would remove yourself and see what effect it has, but I can't imagine it would be much.   

[Jnbmom]

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@JoeRockhead wrote:

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@kxkxkxx wrote:

I was added to someone's credit card as an authorized user since they had opened the card back in 2002 and I wanted the extra length on my credit report. However, this person is now approaching 47% utilization.

2 questions:

1. When I see  total revolving/open account balances, is it also counting THEIR debt on that card even though I am only an authorized user? It seems like it is.

2. Thinking of removing myself if the above answer is yes so I can get their debt off my total, how much of a hit will I take removing that long length period? My credit cards are about 5 yrs old on avg. So it will be a dip for longest card opened, but thinking it is better than having their debt on there?

thanks in advance!

---

I can only speak for myself but my AU accounts CLs or balances were not factored towards my personal overall revolving UTI with FICO8 scores. It may differ with older scoring models, such as some of the mortgage scores. The only thing I got out of them was a positive account history reporting. However, the accounts I've had were always under 5% uti so I cant answer what might happen such as a scoring penalty for example, if the account were to go over the 50% uti threshold. It's been my experience that AU accounts are having less and less positive impact as they once did with FICO scoring models. They are fully factored into Vantage scores, if that means anything to you. If you're that concerned about it, I would remove yourself and see what effect it has, but I can't imagine it would be much.   

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I have added my son to a few accounts and I can definitely say it did effect his EXP FICO8 utilization and for the better😊

To OP I would definitely remove yourself if their utilization is getting up there .

[JoeRockhead]

@Jnbmom That's great that he got something out of it and why I said for me personally I've gotten very little out of it (no factoring of the CLs or balances in my UTI whatsoever, my UTI is based solely on my personal limits and usage of my cards). Just my own theory but I think I was flagged as part of their abuse algorithm since my DW and I have different last names, but couldn't get any positive confirmation of that through several attempts with FICO CSRs so I just said ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and went on my merry way. For me it's very much a YMMV thing. I agree the OP should just remove themselves for peace of mind.

[kxkxkxx]

Thanks to all responded! I have removed myself. I agree that it is not worth it. Appreciate the advice.