Authorized User

[MichaelG]

I just want to confirm the procedure for being added as an AU.

My brother is going to add me to a CC. I told him to call customer service and give them my name address soc# and DOB when requesting them to add me.

Is this all he has to do?

[goodkiller]

Originally Posted by MichaelG

I just want to confirm the procedure for being added as an AU.

My brother is going to add me to a CC. I told him to call customer service and give them my name address soc# and DOB when requesting them to add me.

Is this all he has to do?

Each company may have different requirements for what they need in order to add you, but that should be plenty, but just as a heads-up, if they're getting your soc #, they may pull your credit...

I'm assuming it would be implied PP since you shouldn't be able to be added as an AU unless you authorize it, but who knows.

[bobbyc99]

Michael,let me know how this goes. My brother is going to add me as an AU as well.

[MichaelG]

Well, they said they have to send out an app because it's considered a joint account, not an authorized user. Huh? Then they said it would be about 10-12 days until it will get mailed out.:mad: This was the GM card which is HSBC.

I'm going to try with Citibank. Maybe their procedure is easier.


Has anyone had luck with being added over the phone?

[goodkiller]

Originally Posted by MichaelG

Well, they said they have to send out an app because it's considered a joint account, not an authorized user. Huh? Then they said it would be about 10-12 days until it will get mailed out.:mad: This was the GM card which is HSBC.

I'm going to try with Citibank. Maybe their procedure is easier.


Has anyone had luck with being added over the phone?

Has he tried the GM HSBC online area and see if there is a way to add an AU through there? A joint account is not an AU, and I find it hard to believe that HSBC only permits "joint accounts". Every card I've ever seen has an "add an AU" part in the app, I wonder if your brother talked to a CSR that just doesn't know what they're talking about. Have him call back and ask another CSR how to go about adding an AU. (but have him check the online account first)

[goodkiller]

Originally Posted by MichaelG

Well, they said they have to send out an app because it's considered a joint account, not an authorized user. Huh? Then they said it would be about 10-12 days until it will get mailed out.:mad: This was the GM card which is HSBC.

I'm going to try with Citibank. Maybe their procedure is easier.


Has anyone had luck with being added over the phone?

Has he tried the GM HSBC online area and see if there is a way to add an AU through there? A joint account is not an AU, and I find it hard to believe that HSBC only permits "joint accounts". Every card I've ever seen has an "add an AU" part in the app, I wonder if your brother talked to a CSR that just doesn't know what they're talking about. Have him call back and ask another CSR how to go about adding an AU. (but have him check the online account first)

[MichaelG]

Originally Posted by goodkiller

Has he tried the GM HSBC online area and see if there is a way to add an AU through there? A joint account is not an AU, and I find it hard to believe that HSBC only permits "joint accounts". Every card I've ever seen has an "add an AU" part in the app, I wonder if your brother talked to a CSR that just doesn't know what they're talking about. Have him call back and ask another CSR how to go about adding an AU. (but have him check the online account first)

Actually, yes he did. When he reached the add AU icon, all it requested was my name. No other personal identifying info was asked for, so I told him to call in thinking that the online form wasn't requesting enough info like soc# dob etc. How would they know to report on my CR without that info? That's when they told him I would need to complete an app.

[goodkiller]

Originally Posted by MichaelG

Actually, yes he did. When he reached the add AU icon, all it requested was my name. No other personal identifying info was asked for, so I told him to call in thinking that the online form wasn't requesting enough info like soc# dob etc. How would they know to report on my CR without that info? That's when they told him I would need to complete an app.

Well, to be honest, you may have a problem with the account reporting for you even if you do get added as an AU. The typical AU is a spouse and/or child who lives at your address. This is why they ask for name only. They find your report by matching the name and address with a credit report (soc # is not required). (Basically same technique many CAs use)

So if you live at a different address than your brother, they may have a problem "finding" you in order to report. I would have him add you online (yes, this "name only" is correct for an AU), and then after that's complete, have him call CSR, ask for the "credit reporting" department, and tell them that you, the AU, live at a different address and ask if they need that information in order to correctly report.

[credit_card_collector]

I have added AU's to my accounts with HSBC, Chase, MBNA, AMEX, Diners Club, Citi, and National City over the phone with no problems.

[credit_card_collector]

Oh and also after I added the person to my CC accounts all reported with full history. :)