The word tradeline or trade lines as it is many times referred to is a word used in the credit and lending industries. It refers to credit accounts such credit cards, installment loans, mortgages or any other account that reports to the credit bureau agencies. The tradeline as listed on the credit report will have several pieces of information that a lender will look at and may want to know when reviewing your file. This is especially true if they are trying to determine if you are to be extended a loan.

The items usually listed on a tradeline are as follows

• Name of the lender or creditor
• Partial loan or account number
• Account type – is it a mortgage, credit card, installment, collection, etc.
• Responsibility – is the borrower responsible for the loan or are they an authorized user
• Current Payment Status – is the borrower on time? or late?, have they been on time in the past?
• Various important dates – date opened, date reported, date of last activity
• Limits – what is the cardholders credit limit?
• Balances – what is the current balance?
• Terms – What is the monthly payment?
• Comments – placeholder for client comments or other notes

An authorized user account is a credit card account which has been opened by the primary cardholder for an additional user. Adding a person as an authorized user usually but does not necessarily mean there is an extra credit card issued. Some personal information may be required in order to be added as an authorized user on an account. However the holder/owner of the account does not have to provide the user their private info if they choose not to. This account is many times reported to the credit bureaus by the issuing banks. Reporting history is subject to change according to each card issuing institution as well as the credit bureaus own internal rules and guidelines. Key factors to understand are:

• The primary owner of the card does not have to give the user access to the card nor do they need to share any personal or private data.

• The user may be required to provide personal and private information to the owner of the card in order to be added as an authorized user.

• Limits and restrictions in reporting by institutions apply individually to each company.

• The number of authorized users are usually restricted by each credit source.

Piggybacking is a credit building tactic that allow a person who is trying to build credit to “piggyback” onto the credit history of someone who already has excellent credit. This is done via the use of authorized user accounts. the person with the excellent credit history would add the person who is trying to build credit onto their credit card as an authorized user. This action alone causes the entire history of the account to be reported as a tradeline on the credit report of the person trying to build the credit. This added excellent credit history allows the person wanting to build credit to realize score improvements of 50 points or more depending on the strength of the original credit line used.

Key factors to understand are:

• Piggybacking is utilizing the credit of others to develop higher credit scores.
• Effectiveness will be based on individual credit account you have been added to which is the age, limit, balance, and payment history of the account you are being added to.
• Length of time which the information reports to the bureaus for authorized users can be short, many times you are removed within 1-2 month which results in the tradeline being      removed from your credit report as well.
• Quickly closing on any loans you are seeking once the score increase hits is considered a best practice. basically you use it or lose it.

Authorized user accounts work because credit bureaus report the accounts holders entire card history to the credit report of the card holder and to the credit report of the authorized user even if the authorized user has only been on the account for a few days. The reason accounts are being reported is because of Fair Isaac Company, better known as FICO has interpreted a part of the law about equal credit opportunity act to mean that the person who is the authorized user on an account must be given credit for the account history.

These accounts typically rented by brokers offer monthly income payments to individuals who have an outstanding credit history. The length of the credit card file history, as well as the top limit vs. balances, maintained over time are factors which create the strength of each account. Some specific companies are recognized as better reporting sources for authorized user accounts as opposed to others. The individual card with the excellent credit history is then purchased/rented by consumers who want to receive the benefit of the tradeline reporting the excellent credit on their credit files. They do this to help them establish better loan products at more attractive rates and flexible terms. Key factors to understand are:

• It is a method of purchasing highly rated credit of others to improve an individual’s credit.
• Information reported may be restricted by time limits by card companies.
• Improvement in scores are proportional to tradeline account and dozens of other factors.
• There is a limit to how many authorized users are allowed to each card issuing company.

The first question anyone looking at authorized users should ask is whether or not they work. The answer to that depends on your specific situation. If you were asking this question before 2008 i would have said that they worked 100%.

Since 2008 there have been several changes that have affected how they work. The first major change is that lenders found out about this tactic and started creating plans and processes to make sure that the customer didn’t benefit as much as they did pre 2008.

Reporting Schedule

The biggest change was that most lenders changed their reporting schedule. Instead of reporting these tradelines within 30 days to all 3 credit bureaus most lenders only report the tradelines to 1 bureau and in most cases take up to 3 months before they send the information to the credit bureaus. This change is okay if you are piggybacking using a friend or family members credit card. However if you are using a broker the reporting becomes to sporadic and unreliable.

Length Of Time Reporting

Another major change was how long the tradeline remained on your report after you were added. prior to 2008 if you were added to someone’s credit card as an authorized user and then later you were removed (as is normally the case when using a broker) the history of the tradeline would remain showing on your credit report and would be marked closed. This allowed you to benefit from the age of the account forever. Since 2008 if you are removed as an authorized user the entire history of the AU account will be removed as well.

Underwriting Awareness

As lenders were made aware of this tactic several of them changed their underwriting guidelines, especially when trying to get a mortgage, to specifically check and challenge an authorized user account that looked the least bit suspicious.

Although these accounts still work to increase and improve your credit scores care must be taken when adding them to your account. The last thing you want to do is get yourself involved with a broker who uses accounts that have sporadic reporting or use this tactic when the lender specifically underwrites against it.

The primary user is the person who applies directly to the credit card companies. In other words the owner of the credit.

The credit reporting for primary users will always be considered as a stronger source to measure individuals by credit bureau standards.

Authorized users are recognized by the information which is reported to the credit bureaus by card companies but may be subject to restrictions as to how the reporting is done and length of time and history reported.

The primary user reporting file will contain all history from the institutions reporting payment history, and it will more heavily be weighted as a source for scoring and determining credit decisions for those applying directly for credit.

Key factors to understand are:

• Primary users are considered to be the owners of credit, and their tradelines carry more weight.
• Authorized user tradeline reporting may have limitations with respect to time and card issuing company.
• Each tradeline may be recognized differently by institutions with which credit sought.
• Primary cardholders are limited to the total number of authorized users available per card.

An aged or seasoned tradeline is one which has been paid over several years and illustrates an excellent pattern of payment habits and small charged amounts vs. limits.

A credit card company which reports several years of on time payments with no poor utilization of credit concerning high balances will serve as a much more significant source of higher credit ratings at the bureaus for both primary and authorized users.

Aged or seasoned tradelines are associated with credit card institutions which are considered higher and best sources for achieving the maximum results for credit repair needs.

Some exceptionally rated older tradelines may have significantly better results for credit repair than others.

Key factors to understand are:

• Aged tradelines represent a proven and best source of long reported credit usage.
• Aged tradelines are usually accepted as the best means for credit repair utilization.
• Aged tradelines are the most highly sought after segment of the authorized tradeline industry.

A seasoned tradeline is one which has been paid over a minimum of 12 months with a perfect payment record.

Most experts prefer several years to illustrate an excellent pattern of payment habits and small charged amounts vs. limits.

A credit card company which reports several years of on time payments with no poor utilization of credit concerning high balances will serve as a much more significant source of higher credit ratings at the bureaus for both primary and authorized users.

Seasoned tradelines are associated with credit card institutions which are considered higher and best sources for achieving the maximum results for credit repair needs.

Some exceptionally rated older tradelines may have significantly better results for credit repair than others.

Key factors to understand are:

• Seasoned tradelines represent a proven and best source of long reported credit usage.
• Seasoned tradelines are usually accepted as the best means for credit repair utilization.
• Seasoned tradelines are the most highly sought after segment of the authorized tradeline industry.

Pricing for authorized tradelines depends on some variables. The strength of the payment record for length of time the card company has reported the account is one factor in determining the overall value.

Individual institutions have more user-friendly reporting methods which establish a longer time where the information reported to the bureau.

Card companies which have the most consistent positive reporting history for authorized tradelines are a quantity which many can rely on for more consistent success with rating boosts.

Larger credit lines with lower percentages of unused credit are usually directly associated with higher values.

Those top credit card companies combined with a reporting history dating back several years and credit limit increases to very significant limits offer the maximum potential for fast and efficient credit score boosts on an authorized user tradeline.

Key factors to understand are:

• High credit limits with a very low utilization of credit percentage used vs. available.
• Length of time associated with reporting from a particular institution.
• User-friendly track record of the card company for consistent reporting to bureaus.
• Strength in the brand name of the issuing credit card company.
• Strength in the brand name of the issuing credit card company.

Authorized user tradelines are comparable to appliances or any other item which has available features, options, and reputability associated with brand names.

Individual bank cards are noted to be consistent in their reporting to all of the bureaus, and those will be a factor in determining the cost.

A length of time which spans several years of history being reported is associated with more boost for the credit-seeking purchaser.

Branding is another factor which comes into play when assessing potential value for authorized user tradelines. As with any industry, certain brand names are more commonly recognized as more reputable compared to others.

The ultimate test of any credit report is how it fares when viewed by the potential lender of the credit file being built.

Individual institutions recognize and validate practices and procedures of competitors and use them to evaluate the reported history.

If a credit line is $2,000 vs. $50,000, there is a significant difference in potential value. Two years of reported tradelines vs. ten-year-old ones are proportional in possible impact.

Key Factor to understand are:

• Prices are proportional to assessed value based upon a significant number of variables.
• Prices of tradelines from consistently reporting card companies will be more expensive.
• Prices from the most desirable brands of institutions will carry more costs.

Since authorized user tradelines are designed to provide fast and efficient boosts to credit seekers looking to save potentially thousands of dollars in interest on homes or cars the choice is proportional to the desired credit increase.

If someone needs only 20-30 points to qualify for a loan they might be choosing differently than those needing 50 or more points.

Many potential home buyers are willing to invest more to get the maximum lift possible to qualify for the very best interest rates and terms which they lock in for many years.

Most experts feel the highest and best theory of operation is a model for authorized tradeline selection.

Potential buyers should purchase the highest level of potential improvement within their budget and expect the best level of results.

When boosts come in over 100 points compared to 20 the rates for new credit are significantly different. Key factors to understand are:

• Choosing more up front cost will often be absorbed by back-end results.
• Every consumer has different credit needs and no client is the same.
• Often the ratio of money spent vs. interest saved from credit rising is only a small percent.
• Each purchaser has a budget which is unique to their individual circumstances.

Authorized user tradelines can be purchased from tradeline brokers. Tradeline brokers are familiar with the processes and procedures involved in utilizing the tradelines as tools for credit score boosts. Many qualified and reputable sources will have a variety of prices to accommodate those who need small credit score increases all the way up to those who desire a significant improvement in score from the bureaus. Key factors to understand are:

• Prices will vary based on assessed value.
• More experienced brokers may be able to customize a strategy for finding the right fit.
• Choosing the right broker for your needs is vital to the selection process.

Most credit cards allow you to add someone as an authorized user and most Visa/MC accounts will actually report to the credit bureaus (other revolving accounts like store credit cards do not report), Of these, only a few of them actually report to the credit bureaus on a consistent basis. For example many of the cards that report take an average of 3-6 months before they begin reporting, may only report to one credit bureau, or switch bureaus they are reporting to periodically.

The reasons most lenders don’t report on a regular consistent basis is to help avoid their card being used to artificially increase someone’s credit report.

Credit card companies customarily require the date of birth and social security number to add an authorized user to an account.

Some companies need only the date of birth which registers that the person meets minimum age requirements necessary to be added according to individual bank restrictions.

It is not required for an actual credit card to be issued, and those adding authorized users need not exchange any other personal information other than the required minimums to fulfill the guidelines of the respective financial institution which owns the card.

Key factors to understand are:

• Limits of social security number and date of birth apply in most cases.
• Personal information is not exchanged during the process nor consent for disclosure.
• Those being added as authorized users may provide only the minimum information needed.
• Third parties may obtain information from authorized users and relay them to primary owners.

The fact that an authorized user is added to an account does not appear on the primary card holder’s tradeline with the bureaus.

It makes no difference to the bank whether authorized users are added or not.

The institutions will just report the credit payment history of the primary on their credit file and decide based on their specific guidelines whether or not to report authorized user tradelines.

Since many businesses take advantage of the authorized user option limits are typically high as to the number of them which may be added.

Key factors to understand are:

• The primary card holder credit file does not reflect the existence of authorized users.
• Authorized user tradelines are reported separately to the Bureaus based on policy.
• Many businesses use the authorized user to add employees to their accounts.
• To the credit issuing bank an authorized user is only viewed as an addition to reporting.

Authorized user tradelines effect the Vantage Score 3 and the FICO score versions released up to and including the latest version 8.

Vantage Score 3 takes into consideration only positively paid Authorized user accounts for rating. The FICO version of the consumer credit scoring system evaluates both positive and negative information.

With the release of version 8, FICO puts more emphasis on high utilization of credit compared to overall limit than previous versions.

Key factors to understand are:

• FICO 8 recognizes positive and negative remarks on authorized user tradelines.
• Vantage Score 3 evaluates only positively reported authorized user tradelines.
• Version 8 of FICO is more sensitive to credit usage vs. limit than any previous version.
• All data reporting of authorized tradelines are regulated by the card issuing bank.

Items which are published to the credit bureaus are based on guidelines established by issuing bank card companies.

If there is a policy limiting the reporting of information concerning authorized user tradelines, then the institutions will not report them.

If issuing banks suspect any unusual activity concerning authorized tradelines, they may simply stop publishing them, limit the length of time they are reported or report them to only one or two of the credit bureaus.

The issuers of credit determine all credit reporting and although there are many fair credit laws in place, the interpretation of those rules is often left up to the court systems.

Primary cardholders may call and ask that the information is posted appropriately based upon the excellent credit they have established, and this works in many cases.

The card holders with stellar credit are a valuable commodity to institutions which may have had their accounts for many years and they will often listen carefully to requests of valued clients as opposed to losing them.

Key factors to understand are:

• Reporting authorized tradelines to the credit bureaus is controlled by the individual issuers.
• Strength of the primary account holder through long standing excellent credit is powerful.
• Rules and regulations are always changing for large banks to create more profits.
• Governing laws and statutes about fair credit reporting are subject to interpretation.

In general lenders only allow authorized user accounts to report to the credit report only when the account is live and active for the user. This means when buying authorized users from a vendor like us there is a very high probability that the reporting will cease after about 1-2 months.

The main reason this happens is because the vendor has a limited number a “slots” available of the credit card and those slots have to be reassigned to the next user. If you are seeking a more permanent or long term solutions you should consider getting an authorized user from a friend or family member.

As soon as the information is sent to the bureaus, an authorized user tradeline will impact the files the moment they are updated.

The time typically takes 30-45 days to appear on the reporting agencies, and the result is very fast. With authorized user tradelines being recognized as one of the fastest ways to repair credit it may also be implemented as the first step in a long-term plan.

Most credit needs for authorized user tradelines seem to come from the home mortgage and auto loan segment.

Potential home buyers realize the most significant advantage of a fast and sharp upward move in the credit score.

Key factors to understand are:

• Once the information is updated on the bureau the score boost is immediate.
• Customers needing a fast move upward of FICO scores for loans are top users.
• Processing time will often depend on reporting efficiency and guidelines of card issuers.

FICO version 08 is the newest release of the consumer credit rating software and claims as one of the new features to place less significance on authorized user accounts for increasing credit scores.

It is publicized that the algorithms now recognize authorized user accounts used for credit repair and are minimizing their impacts by reducing the score increases and capping multiple authorized users lifts with those with several in their file.

The new model of FICO scoring, however, places significantly more emphasis on card balances vs. credit limits. Many people who used to recognize what the experts considered a healthy usage rate of below 30% was not viewed differently than staying below 20% usage on an account.

Card holders with 10% usage compared to limits are realizing even higher boosts from the new latest scoring standard.

Those who keep a small balance and reflect a high limit are rewarded the most with the FICO 8 system.

The greater recognition for maintaining lower percentages of credit rule applied to all tradeline accounts and authorized user accounts which have higher credit limits and lower balances receive the same benefit as primary card holders.

Key factors to understand are:

• Fico 8 restricts the amount of weight for credit increases with files having multiple authorized user tradelines.
• Fico 8 rewards those with very low percentage of usage on the limits on credit cards.
• Fico 8 is the newest release of their version of the consumer credit scoring system.
• Fico 8 is the latest model which will most likely be replaced by FICO 9.

People can certainly attempt to use a CPN number for opening an authorized user account. Since CPN and social security number misrepresentation can both cross into a gray area which ranges between acceptable and a federal crime only the highest level of credit repair authority would know how to proceed effectively without potential risks. Credit bureaus are wise to the use of CPNs and track everything back to social security numbers and names according to all of their published material on the subject. Key factors to understand are:

• Adding CPN numbers and applying for authorized user tradelines with them is a complicated and potentially legal liability issue.
• Only credit experts at the highest level with years of experience are capable of handling this procedure without risking legal repercussions.

Most underwriting guidelines consider three possible scenarios for authorized user tradelines. If there are several authorized user lines, open a lender may try and completely discount the increase in credit rating.

Standard procedures might require the proof of relationship to the primary account holders to be considered for the loan if they are considered excessive by the potential lender.

If anyone whose name will appear on the new loan is the primary card holder, no further questions will be asked.

For loans who underwriters feel a limited amount of authorized user tradelines probably had a minor impact on improving the overall credit score, they are normally processed according to loans without any authorized tradelines appearing.

Each lending situation and credit granting company have different policies and procedures are the above is only what might be considered a most common list of procedures for underwriting.

Lenders are also in the business of making money and sometimes they may use some excuses during the closing process to try and raise interest rates or change terms.

Key factors to understand are:

• Each lender is governed by their specific guidelines when it comes to authorized user tradelines.
• There is no consistent statement which encompasses the subjectivity of card issuers as a whole.
• Lenders are in the business of maximizing profit on loans and rate increases are commonly cited as needed for various reasons before closing.

If a lender finds out, an authorized tradeline has been purchased he may proceed in any way which is regulated by the guidelines and operating procedures of the respective institution.

Most underwriting guidelines would indicate that when suspected credit repair tampering has occurred with authorized user tradelines that the loan should be evaluated as if they did not exist on the report.

Reports of lenders wanting to raise rates before closing have been associated with authorized user tradelines, but they have also been recognized as a part of trying to increase the profit of the lending institution by using a numerous of excuses to adjust upwardly from the low advertised and pre-approved rate.

Each circumstance is different, and almost all lenders have practices and procedures which are loosely governed by either fair lending practices or even further regulate by the type of potentially “backed” lending product being offered.

Key factors to understand are:

• Lenders are governed by their guidelines rules and regulations.
• Authorized user tradelines may be cited as one of many reasons to raise interest rates before closing a loan based on profit targeting procedures of lenders.

Authorized user accounts may be reported for a range of time starting as little as 45 days and ranging to several years.

Each institution and individual circumstance are unique, and there is no blanket scenario which can be provided as a benchmark for the length of time which they are reported to the credit bureaus.

Since lenders have their sets of guidelines on credit reporting procedures, it is not uncommon to see one lender report an authorized tradeline for 24 months, and another card company reports the same identical situation for six months.

The reason most credit experts encourage the use of authorized credit lines for a fast and temporary boost in credit is that there are only estimates as to how long the quality information will be reported to take advantage of the best lending products available.

Key factors to understand are:

• There is no standard answer for time limits of reporting authorized user tradelines.
• Each circumstance may vary by the card issuer and their specific guidelines.

Adding an authorized user is legal and is explained in most paperwork which comes with primary card holders.

If the person added to an authorized user account is acutely aware that they are being added to an account there are no laws or rules against the process.

The process itself if an option available to virtually all primary credit card holders and has often been used for children relatives and friends.

In addition to families utilizing the authorized user feature, many business owners use the same feature to add employees as authorized users on millions of accounts throughout the country.

The only guidelines and restrictions which apply to adding authorized users come in the form of age and identification requirements by the card issuers.

Key factors to understand are:

• There are no laws which prohibit the purchase of authorized user tradelines.
• Credit repair attempts are not potential criminal activities.
• It is a common practice which is recognized and accepted in the credit industry.

Authorized user accounts are best blended with other primary accounts for maximum credit scoring results. Many credit specialists consider two primary accounts or more for every authorized user account a healthy mix.

An overabundance of authorized user accounts can take away from the effect of having the appropriate number to receive the best potential lift in the credit rating.

Experts who handle the process of brokering authorized tradelines can be excellent sources of information on the subject and the complete process of credit repair.

There may be other factors based on the type of credit accounts individuals have open and reporting which may also require guidance with the addition of authorized user accounts.

Key factors to understand are:

• More is not necessarily better for authorized user tradelines.
• A blend of different types of accounts help build higher credit scores.
• Qualified experts who are recognized for their expertise with authorized tradelines may offer guidance based on individual credit.

Individual banks control which of the credit bureaus authorized user tradelines are posted to and the length of time they are reported.

Each corporation has particular guidelines and regulations based on company policy which dictate the best practices within their operating structure.

Some banks will post tradelines for years to all bureaus, and others will select bureaus and report for only a short period.

There is no guarantee that the three major bureaus, Transunion, Equifax and Experian will all be used for posting.

Different lenders pull credit from different credit bureaus based on their standards and guidelines as well.

Many companies may pull from a particular bureau which has a much higher credit score and accept an application from a client.

Many companies may pull from a particular bureau which has a much higher credit score and accept an application from a client.

Following the information on all of the credit bureaus has become a common practice in today’s society.

Key factors to understand are:

• Individual banks have rules and regulations which govern their credit reporting routines for authorized user tradelines.
• One to three major bureaus may post the authorized tradelines based on card issuer posting.
• Experts who broker in authorized tradelines are familiar with many companies reporting habits.
• Monitoring all of the credit bureau reporting is a common practice of consumers today.

Authorized user tradelines originate from the brokers who can contract primary card holders. Primary cardholders with exceptional credit can utilize their credit to provide extra income by renting it.

When people needing to boost their credit purchase an authorized tradeline, several years of excellent credit history may be added to their file with the bureaus.

The long history of reporting combined with low usage compared to limits will typically bolster a file. It has been a common practice for many years to add authorized users to accounts for children who need to establish credit for themselves.

Spouse’s with great credit can also utilize the authorized user feature to help improve their partner’s score. Credit repair specialists have been using authorized tradelines to help rebuild their client’s files with the bureaus for several years.

Key factors to understand are:

• Authorized tradelines have been used for many years and varying purposed.
• Expert authorized user brokers to provide the tradelines to those needing credit boosts.
• The tradelines best case scenario is an exact reflection of outstanding payment history.
• Bureaus report these tradelines according to their individual policies.

If a primary card user makes a late payment, it will show up on authorized user reported tradelines until they are removed.

Authorized users rely on the history of individuals who have paid credit cards on time, maintained low balances and established themselves as the highest caliber client in the credit industry.

Most authorized user accounts which are handled by brokers demonstrate several years of payment consistency.

If primary card holders receive income by renting their excellent credit history, then it is in their best interest to only continue with the habits of proper payment they have demonstrated.

Authorized user tradelines are used for short-term credit boosts. In most cases, they are only reported for a limited time by card issuers.

The card issuer has an obligation to report accurate information to the credit bureaus, and authorized tradelines are no exception.

One advantage of authorized tradelines is that many companies will limit reporting and sometimes eliminate usually posting within a relatively short period.

Key factors to understand are:

• Authorized user tradelines are reported as an exact payment match of primary tradelines.
• The length of time and consistency which authorized user tradelines are reported by the card issuer.
• Many authorized tradelines will not be reported for long periods of time regardless of information.
• Experts in brokering tradelines select authorized user lines which have established the longest and best-demonstrated payment history.

An assigned authorized user does not have to use the card or make payments towards the bill in order to benefit from the history on the credit card. It is for this reason that most people allowing others to piggyback on their credit card face no risk. the card itself is mailed to the owner and the owner is then free to destroy the card.

Authorized users are not responsible for payment of credit card accounts. By adding an authorized user, a primary cardholder is taking responsibility for any charges made by the new user.

An authorized user does not necessarily require that they have charging privileges or are even issued an additional card.

Authorizing users accounts have no bearing on the primary account tradeline, and the payment history will be reflected as if there were either a single card or several, it makes no difference.

The full weight of credit falls on the shoulders of the primary cardholder regardless of how many authorized users are issued credit cards.

Since the primary has to add others using card company procedures they are unable to avoid charges made by those which they have additional charging power.

Since the primary has to add others using card company procedures they are unable to avoid charges made by those which they have additional charging power.

Key factors to understand are:

• Primary Cardholders are responsible for all charges made to their card account.
• Authorized users may not even be issued cards for charging privileges.
• One tradeline reflects all charges and payment history for each card and it is the primary. Authorized user tradelines are copies of primary payment records.

Age requirements are based on individual guidelines and restrictions of card issuing companies.

Some card companies will require proof of age when it applies to their regulations, and others will only issue the card based on either social security number or a combination of minimal documentation.

With many parents using the power of authorized user tradelines to help build their children’s credit history at an early age, it is common for students to be issued cards with restrictions on their parent’s accounts.

In addition to building a credit history, the experience in handling credit cards for the first time can be closely monitored by parents.

Some parents elect to provide their teens with cards to eliminate giving them cash and also tracking where the money is spent.

Key factors to understand are:

• Age requirements for authorized users vary by the card issuing companies.
• Some will require varying forms of age and identity verification while others may not.
• It is a common practice for parents to add teen children as authorized users.

On a very rare occasion a user may want to be removed as the authorized user on someone else’s credit card. This could be desired if the card owner somehow did something to cause a negative item to appear. maybe a lender requested the user to be removed, or the user just didn’t like how the AU account looked on their credit report.

You will always have the right to be removed as an authorized user, you can just advise us and we will get you removed. You can also send a note to the credit bureaus and they will usually remove the info in just one cycle.

One thing to remember is that once you are removed as an authorized user the corresponding reporting and history will be removed as well.

According to most credit experts, authorized user tradelines are designed to be used in conjunction with other types of open accounts.

There are no steadfast rules, but the most common ratio of primary accounts should be 2 to 1 over authorized user accounts.

To effectively add authorized user accounts for the optimum results, many seek the advice of expert brokers who specialize in credit repair using them as one of their tools.

Too many authorized tradelines compared to primary accounts can cause more harm than good when attempting to bolster a credit score.

For those who have a minimal credit history and few tradelines the boost can be significant if the addition of authorized lines is coordinated carefully with new credit.

Those having the most to gain from the repair may well have the most to lose since multiple credit accounts will not provide much of a cushion by flooding the bureau with only authorized user tradelines.

Key factors to understand are:

• New credit files are the most volatile due to limited information.
• Most experts feel two primary tradelines as a minimum should be open for each authorized user account.
• Coordinating the credit building process with authorized user tradeline experts may be the best answer to avoid mistakes.

Any item which will impact an individual’s credit score is a serious concern.

Some may choose to purchase tradelines from individuals either representing themselves as expert authorized tradeline brokers or owners of the tradelines.

Tradelines are unlike an item of jewelry or an automobile and are only realized to be authentic when they are successfully or unsuccessfully added to a credit report.

All publications list the disclaimer which limits their liability for items which are posted for sale.

Considering the options of potentially stolen personal information, damage to long-term credit and exposure to various types of possible fraud these publications are considered wise in doing so.

Key factors to understand are:

• Companies listing items for sale normally are not responsible for any potential damages or criminal liability which comes along with purchases.
• Credit experts who broker in authorized tradelines many times offer advice and sometimes guide clients through the credit score boosting process.
• Normally items which require expert guidance to avoid financial ruin or potential incarceration are not top choices for bargain posting publications.

Any business is nothing more than a group of people. Getting to know the company and people and following up on credentials, awards, satisfied customers and ratings which represent benchmarks within their industry are methods which aid in the decision-making process.

Experience and the demonstration of a successful track record are great indicators of the potential legitimacy of a company.

Few companies can offer results based guarantees when it comes to credit repair, but those who are willing to charge their costs and fees or provide solid warranties would certainly minimize consumer risk.

Key factors to understand are:

• History and proven success record are indicators of legitimate tradeline brokers.
• Ratings, Accreditations, and awards are excellent measures of reliability.
• Finding companies willing to stand behind their products with guarantees are a premium.

Just like any other business authorized user tradeline brokers can be judged on experience, reputation, and proven results.

Most companies which have been operating for a longer time with have either many happy customers or unhappy ones.

A history of working with clients who endorse their services is also a good measure of possible ways to choose the best source for authorized user tradelines.

Some companies are more results driven than others in any field, and those are the ones who establish the highest accolades from their former clients.

Success stories of individuals speak louder than many claims or advertised services. When it comes to results the people who have experienced them are the best spokespeople.

Like any decision when choosing a business to perform services, information can be sought and then evaluated based on which one seems to be the best fit for individual needs.

Expertise in the area of authorized user tradelines is something which may have developed during the last decade based on changes from the previous decade. Key factors to understand are:

• Judging companies from virtually any industry can be done using the same guidelines.
• Experience and a track record of success are qualities to look for when choosing.
• Endorsements by previous clients are often an indication of continued success.

President Bill Clinton signed the Credit Repair Organizations Act in 1996. The purpose of the legislation was to protect consumers against false statements and to overcharge for credit repair services.

Focusing on the undereducated and lower income clients who were being targeted by questionable ethical practices and outrageous charges for services which often were nothing more than a scam was common practice during the 1990’s.

The regulations outlined specific items of not being charged huge upfront fees for credit services or unusually high fees in the form of account maintenance costs.

Specific credit score increases were no longer able to be advertised, and the majority of the costs of credit repair was shifted to pay after delete results-based invoicing.

Any credit repair service could no longer use 50 points or 100 points guaranteed as examples of baiting in those who were undereducated and could not understand the claims falsehood.

CROA protection is designed to cover all aspects of targeting by companies of the two clearly defined groups which comprise a majority of clients from previous decades.

Key factors to understand are:

• The CROA is legislation which was passed during the 90’s to eliminate predatory credit repair practices.
• Guidelines are geared toward protecting the under-educated and financially challenged individuals specifically.
• No longer could companies advertise an exact number to credit score improvement to sell their services.
• Most fees and expenses were required at the end based on results rather than hollow promises.

The CROA technically governs any business which uses items for credit repair.

Much debate has been made about the fact that article 404 of the CROA prohibit any fees to be collected up front before the credit has been restored.

There is certain ambiguity which seems to be directly centered around those who desire to charge for tradelines in advance and those who use a pay after results philosophy.

Tradeline companies argue that authorized tradelines are a product and can be sold as a product without falling under CROA regulatory guidelines.

The debate seems to center around whether authorized tradelines are marketed and sold as part of credit repair services.

Some companies who offer authorized user tradelines for sale list a guaranteed credit score increase which is without question prohibited under CRO rules.

It seems many of the companies who are operating under the concept that tradelines are not governed by the laws covering all credit repair appear to violate openly the rules which would apply.

For any company offering credit repair services all rules apply.

Key factors to understand are:

• CROA rules apply to any credit repair activity which is either sold or advertised for sale.
• Authorized user tradelines are sometimes viewed in the gray area of CROA guidelines.
• Charging upfront fees before results in CROA rules is a direct violation of section 404.
• All credit repair activities are limited to payment upon results to protect consumers.

If a company openly breaks the rules which are designed to protect consumers from predatory practices, that means they exhibit contempt for the rules or the system which enforces them.

When a company openly demonstrates a set of guidelines and procedures which are punishable by law and subject to criminal and civil damages it might not be considered best practices to retain their services or conduct any business with them.

If they are under investigation or in the process of being indicted any fees paid for services may have little to no chance of being recouped.

If companies have been in violation over a period, there may be a host of customers currently in line waiting to enforce legally refunds of monies paid and potential damages.

By hiring companies who are breaking the rules, it is nothing more than getting in line behind a group of people waiting to be paid.

When the money runs out, and it usually does as a result of fines, court, and attorney costs, consumers may wonder why they chose to deal with potential criminals, to begin with.

Key factors to understand are:

• If companies exhibit no respect for laws governing their industry why would they choose to be customer service responsible?
• When hiring a company with high risk for past damages and penalties being imposed it is like taking a place in line if they do not produce instant results.
• If laws are being openly broken who is to say the products or services offered were obtained by legal means?

Consumers can check databases for cases pending and previously closed by searching FTC sites and other Federal and local government sites.

Local and state watchdog organizations are set up for many times of consumer protection, and Better Business Bureaus are often current in any legal proceedings filed against companies in their geographic territory.

For those who are not computer savvy, phone calls may be made to local authorities who will help with searches or provide phone numbers which may expedite the information gathering process.