I'm only an authorized user.....

[Anonymous]

I just got my first FICO score in several years, and I was upset!  Last time it was in the mid 700s I believe, this time is was only 666...(bad number anyway).  My husband has added me to two of his credit cards as an 'authorized user' so that I could go online and make payments on the accounts.  Apparently this has caused these to be listed on my credit reports, and it has ruined my score.  We've always had good credit, but now this has really affected the rate I can get from my CU for a car loan.  If I was removed as an 'authorized user', would this bring my FICO back up?

Thanks...

[cobaltnv]

Cards on which you are an AU will appear on your credit report. Which is why you should only get added as an AU on cards with good clean history and low utilization. Do your DH cards have any negatives? Are the ages younger than your current AofA? I ask only to try to be sure that this is what is causing your score to drop. If you are sure you can get removed easily. Simply can (or have DH call) and remove you as an AU. THe account will (should) come off your credit report the next time the CCC updates, usually at the statement date.

Welcome to the forums. You might read credit scoring 101 which is posted at the top of the main page under frequently requested threads. 

[Anonymous]

i added my wife as AU user on 3 cards and it dropped her points to 635. after I took her out of all 3 credit card her score went up to 650. So I guess if your husband removes you as AU your score will go up but I am not sure if it will go back to your orginal score.

[cobaltnv]

FICO scores have no memory. When your wife was removed as an AU, and that account was purged from her credit report, her score would return to what is was prior to being an AU. This is provided that nothing else on her reports changed; % utilization, new accounts, lates, etc.

  The ability to add an AU can be a wonderful way to help a husband/wife/child build a credit history and increase their fico score. However, if the AU is added to a card with a short history, high utilization, negative history, etc the opposite effect may be observed.  

[Anonymous]

I really appreciate the feedback.  There is nothing negative on my credit at all except for one 30 day late from 5-1/2 years ago.  I couldn't believe it actually still showed!  My DHs credit is fine, except that one of the accounts he put me as AU on is almost maxed out (over $16,000) due to the fact we allowed our son to consolidate his debt on that account to help him rebuild his credit.  (He is actually making the payments, but I know FICO doesn't care about that).  Bad move on our part, but we didn't know all about FICO, etc., at the time.  Anyway, I will have him remove me from the accounts, and we'll see how it shapes up.  Thanks again! 

[cobaltnv]

A maxed out card of ~$16k would certainly drop your scores. Removal as an AU is simple (and reversible later). The account should fall off your credit report the next time the ccc reports, usually on your statement date.

Good luck!