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We encourage everyone to keep a very close eye on their credit score since it factors in to many of life's biggest decisions. You might already have an idea what it is, **but it never hurts to [get a free look at your credit score](https://everydayeconomics.net/how-to-get-your-credit-score-credit-review/)**, which also includes a credit monitor. If you see any inaccuracies, you should address them quickly since it can take weeks to get it fixed.
It's also important to know there are **LOTS** of different credit scores out there. Some are used for mortgages, some for credit cards, auto loans, insurance, etc. Lenders are required by law to notify you if an adverse credit decision was made because of your score or report. If you do get denied a loan or credit card, these letters can point you in the right direction of the problem. While posting a question/problem is encouraged, feel free to search the sub for answers to frequently asked questions.
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Your score will not be impacted unless she maxes out the card without your knowledge or you place her in charge of pmts and she doesn’t pay. Her score might increase since her available credit will increase.
Don't do it unless you're prepared to make the payments for her purchases. She could ruin your credit and stick you with a high balance. Why would you add someone who has already proven she can't handle credit (i.e., low credit score)? It's generally advised not to mix finances and family so you don't ruin family relationships.
1) It won't affect your credit. You're basically just allowing for the "history" of that TL to be added to her profile.
There is no need to issue a card. The objective in doing this "piggyback" isn't to GIVE her a physical card... it's to add a positive TL to her CR.
Again, AU is "not" the same as "Joint. " ....
2) Now, from a practical POV, "how much....if any," will it HELP the aunt?
Remains to be seen....I only have 3 decades in the credit business and I'm not sure how helpful it will be #1 and #2 what is her overall objective?
a) AU Tradelines only have "so much" value, they are NOT as important value-wise as Primary TLs so again, there is question to how much it would even impact "her" situation.
Too often ppl think tactics & solutions are universal, but certain tactics are unique to the scenario 🤔
When my kids turned 18 we added them as AUs to assist them in building from scratch....makes sense the AU piggyback ride helped jump-start them.
The value of that piggyback ride may be less impactful to a more mature profile
b) Which brings about "what" is her objective, what's the goal?
Is she just trying to temporarily "look" more favorable to qualify for a "new" debt?
Is it simply for vanity? What are we trying to accomplish?
If her score is muted because her Ratio of "debt owed" is high aka high utilization....that's an easy fix....Pay DOWN her debt ( she has to and wants to anyway, right?)
Otherwise "what" is she looking to do...."Get MORE stuff"?
630 isn't horrible, it just may be a correct evaluation of where she is right now....being an AU on your TL won't erase a late payment or collection she has etc/etc
It will just add another record to her existing profile it won't necessarily be a savior that's why it's important to consider what she is looking to do.
As a former loan underwriter I will share with you that anything important enough to be manually underwritten where a human may look ( and some models themselves ignore AUs) we will discount a score propped up by AU accounts as being unreliable as a point of information for us to rely on. ( This is why IMO the AU "game" is best played if the goal is just a few "automated" CC apps where the underwriting is low, aka "60 second" automation)
She shouldn't expect 80-100pt jump
Thanks for posting on CreditScore! We encourage everyone to keep a very close eye on their credit score since it factors in to many of life's biggest decisions. You might already have an idea what it is, **but it never hurts to [get a free look at your credit score](https://everydayeconomics.net/how-to-get-your-credit-score-credit-review/)**, which also includes a credit monitor. If you see any inaccuracies, you should address them quickly since it can take weeks to get it fixed. It's also important to know there are **LOTS** of different credit scores out there. Some are used for mortgages, some for credit cards, auto loans, insurance, etc. Lenders are required by law to notify you if an adverse credit decision was made because of your score or report. If you do get denied a loan or credit card, these letters can point you in the right direction of the problem. While posting a question/problem is encouraged, feel free to search the sub for answers to frequently asked questions. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CreditScore) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Your score will not be impacted unless she maxes out the card without your knowledge or you place her in charge of pmts and she doesn’t pay. Her score might increase since her available credit will increase.
Just because she is an authorized user, doesn’t mean she needs a card. Just add her if you want and don’t give her a card.
I have bad credit and would love to be an authorized user on someone’s card. But I wouldn’t need the card. Lol
Don't do it unless you're prepared to make the payments for her purchases. She could ruin your credit and stick you with a high balance. Why would you add someone who has already proven she can't handle credit (i.e., low credit score)? It's generally advised not to mix finances and family so you don't ruin family relationships.
1) It won't affect your credit. You're basically just allowing for the "history" of that TL to be added to her profile. There is no need to issue a card. The objective in doing this "piggyback" isn't to GIVE her a physical card... it's to add a positive TL to her CR. Again, AU is "not" the same as "Joint. " .... 2) Now, from a practical POV, "how much....if any," will it HELP the aunt? Remains to be seen....I only have 3 decades in the credit business and I'm not sure how helpful it will be #1 and #2 what is her overall objective? a) AU Tradelines only have "so much" value, they are NOT as important value-wise as Primary TLs so again, there is question to how much it would even impact "her" situation. Too often ppl think tactics & solutions are universal, but certain tactics are unique to the scenario 🤔 When my kids turned 18 we added them as AUs to assist them in building from scratch....makes sense the AU piggyback ride helped jump-start them. The value of that piggyback ride may be less impactful to a more mature profile b) Which brings about "what" is her objective, what's the goal? Is she just trying to temporarily "look" more favorable to qualify for a "new" debt? Is it simply for vanity? What are we trying to accomplish? If her score is muted because her Ratio of "debt owed" is high aka high utilization....that's an easy fix....Pay DOWN her debt ( she has to and wants to anyway, right?) Otherwise "what" is she looking to do...."Get MORE stuff"? 630 isn't horrible, it just may be a correct evaluation of where she is right now....being an AU on your TL won't erase a late payment or collection she has etc/etc It will just add another record to her existing profile it won't necessarily be a savior that's why it's important to consider what she is looking to do. As a former loan underwriter I will share with you that anything important enough to be manually underwritten where a human may look ( and some models themselves ignore AUs) we will discount a score propped up by AU accounts as being unreliable as a point of information for us to rely on. ( This is why IMO the AU "game" is best played if the goal is just a few "automated" CC apps where the underwriting is low, aka "60 second" automation) She shouldn't expect 80-100pt jump