Will Authorized User account generate a FICO score?

[Anonymous]

I don't have a FICO score. I've been added to a friend's Capital One and NFCU credit cards as Authorized User. Will this help me generate a FICO score? How long will it take if it does? Also, I've read that some lenders don't consider AU accounts. Are there any credit cards that will consider AU accounts in their approval process?

[5KRunner]

Yes - AU accounts will contribute to your FICO scores. I’ve just added my 17-year old daughter to one of my accounts in order to establish her credit history. And I recently removed myself as an AU on an account that was carrying a significant balance and my scores jumped nearly 50 points.

Welcome to MyFICO!

[Anonymous]

Nice. Thank you. Do you know how long it will take for me to get a FICO score being an authorized user? Will the length of this accounts count for my credit history and allow me a FICO score before six months?

[5KRunner]

Honestly, that depends on when the lender reports the account to the CRAs. I was approved by AmEx in February and it took over a month, if I remember correctly, before the new account showed up on my report.

[Brian_Earl_Spilner]

Vantagescore generates a score in 3 months, fico in 6. No shortcuts.

[KJinNC]

I think the OP's question amounts to:

If someone is added as an AU to a card that was opened five years ago, does that mean the person now has a 5-year-old account, which would meet the FICO score threshhold of at least one account that is six months old?

Or alternately, do you need it to be on YOUR credit report for six months before meeting the FICO six-month requirement?

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I don't have a FICO score. I've been added to a friend's Capital One and NFCU credit cards as Authorized User. Will this help me generate a FICO score?

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It depends if that AU account shows up on your credit report.  Some AU accounts do, some don't.  I'd be skeptical since it's just the account of a friend and not someone like a parent with the same last name, possibly address, etc.

[Anonymous]

Yes, this. Also, if this would help me get approved for a credit card of my own

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Yes, this. Also, if this would help me get approved for a credit card of my own

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I mean it can't hurt, but it's arguable if it will help.  Some lenders may completely overlook the AU account, where others may take it into consideration.

That being said and especially if this is the only account that may end up on your CR, it's crucial that the account is a positive one in that it has absolutely no late payments and that the reported utilization on it is low.  If either of those factors are not the case, the AU account could definitely do more harm than good.

[Anonymous]

the AAOA will not reflect on your personal file, you will need 6 months of credit information reported to build a score ,,,no shortcuts. get yourself a few secured cards then after 3 months of your AU card and your secured cards reporting apply for a cap 1 unsecured credit steps card.. by month 6 with everything good and on time you will open fico in the low 600,s depending on UTI,, good luck and happy trails on your credit journey....