Authorized User Credit Card Debt, Who’s Actually Liable?
The Primary Cardholder Pays—Not the Authorized User
The primary cardholder, who opened the account and agreed to the card’s terms and conditions, is solely responsible for paying off any balance on the card, regardless of who made the charges.
Being an authorized user generally does not obligate you to pay the debt. This federal protection applies even if you made thousands of dollars in charges—unless specific exceptions apply.
The Bureau released the 2025 Consumer Credit Card Market Report on December 30, 2025, analyzing credit card trends and consumer protections through the end of 2024.
Why This Matters to You
If you’re an authorized user on someone else’s credit card—or considering adding someone to your account—understanding liability protections could save you from unexpected debt collection, credit damage, and family disputes.
This affects you whether you’re a parent adding your teenager to build their credit, a spouse sharing an account with your partner, or an adult child helping an elderly parent with expenses.
Many authorized users panic when the primary cardholder stops making payments, dies, or declares bankruptcy. Debt collectors sometimes contact authorized users demanding payment—but federal law protects you from most collection actions. Understanding the distinction between authorized users, co-signers, and joint account holders is critical to knowing your actual legal obligations.
What You Came to Know: Your Actual Liability as an Authorized User
What “Authorized User” Legally Means
An authorized user is a secondary account holder who gets added to an existing credit card account by the primary cardholder.
You get a credit card with your name on it and can make purchases, but the primary account holder is the only one legally responsible for the account and any debt.
This is fundamentally different from being a co-signer or joint account holder—both of whom share equal legal responsibility for the debt.
Primary Cardholder Bears All Legal Responsibility
The credit card company cannot pursue an authorized user for unpaid debts.
Even if you as an authorized user charged $20,000 on vacation purchases while the primary cardholder only spent $500, the primary cardholder owes the full $20,500. The card issuer cannot sue you, garnish your wages, or seize your assets to collect the debt.
Unlike a joint account holder or a co-signer, an authorized user has no legal obligation to repay the balance on the account.
Authorized User Protections: What You DON’T Owe
Federal law under the Fair Credit Billing Act and Truth in Lending Act provides strong protections for authorized users.
You are NOT liable for:
- Charges you made with the primary cardholder’s permission
- Charges the primary cardholder made
- Unpaid balances even if they total tens of thousands
- Debt collection lawsuits targeting you personally
- Interest, late fees, or penalties accrued on the account
Authorized users don’t have to pay credit card debt. Only two types of people are on the hook for outstanding balances on a credit card: The principal cardholder and anyone who co-signed the account application.
When You Might Actually Be Liable: Critical Exceptions
Bottom line: You could lose your authorized user protections if:
Community Property States: If you live in a community property state, you may be responsible for your spouse’s debts after they die if the debts were incurred during your marriage. Community property states include Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Fraud or Misuse: If an authorized user obtains or uses the card fraudulently or against the primary cardholder’s wishes, they could be held liable for charges they make.
Contractual Agreements: If you signed a separate agreement with the primary cardholder promising to pay for your charges, this creates a contractual obligation between you and them—though the credit card company still cannot enforce it directly.
State-Specific Laws: Some states have additional laws affecting authorized user liability, particularly for business credit cards or specific creditor-debtor relationships.
Debt Collectors May Still Contact You (Here’s What to Do)
Debt collectors sometimes mistakenly contact or harass authorized users, but you have the right to stop these collections.
If a debt collector contacts you claiming you owe the debt:
Request that the collector provide evidence, such as a copy of a contract that you signed. If you didn’t co-sign the account, you’re not liable.
You may be able to satisfy the debt collector that you were just an authorized user by showing the collector the relevant portion of your credit report.
Learn more about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act at Is It Legal For Collection Agencies To Buy Your Debt And Pursue You.
What You Must Know: How Authorized User Status Affects Your Credit
Your Credit Score Is Tied to the Account—Even Without Liability
If the primary account holder makes late payments or maxes out the credit card, it can harm the authorized user’s credit score.
The account history appears on both credit reports. Late payments, high balances, and defaults damage both the primary cardholder’s credit and the authorized user’s credit—even though the authorized user isn’t legally responsible for the debt.
Most of the time, the cardholder’s estate will be responsible for any credit card debt they leave behind. If the account becomes delinquent while waiting to be repaid, this can impact the authorized user’s credit score.
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You Can Remove Yourself from the Account
Call the issuer and ask to have your name removed as an authorized user.
Most card issuers allow you to request removal at any time. Once removed, future account activity won’t affect your credit—though past history may remain on your credit report.
Unlike primary cardholders, authorized users can usually request to be removed from the account and, in many cases, can have the account’s history removed from their credit report if it’s negatively impacting their score.
The Difference Between Authorized User, Co-Signer, and Joint Account Holder
Let’s break this down:
Authorized User: Can use the card, gets credit benefit/damage, NOT legally liable for debt
Co-Signer: A co-signer is someone who takes financial responsibility for the account. Being a cosigner means you’re saying to the bank or lender, “I agree to repay this debt if the other person cannot”
Joint Account Holder: A joint account holder shares equal responsibility for managing the account and paying off any debts
For strategies on managing credit card debt, explore Best Way to Pay Off Credit Card Debt.
What to Do Next
Step 1: Check If You’re an Authorized User or Co-Signer
If a debt collector insists that you co-signed the account but you believe you did not, you may request that the collector provide evidence.
Get your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com and review how the account is listed. Authorized user accounts are marked differently than co-signed or joint accounts.
Step 2: Dispute Improper Collection Attempts
If debt collectors contact you for authorized user debt, send a written dispute letter under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Include:
- Your credit report showing authorized user status
- Statement that you did not co-sign the account
- Request for all collection activity to cease
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov) provides free sample dispute letters and authorized user resources.
For state-specific debt collection protections, review Texas Debt Collection Statute of Limitations orCalifornia Debt Collection Laws & Statutes Of Limitations.
Step 3: Request Removal If the Account Is Damaging Your Credit
Contact the card issuer directly and request removal as an authorized user. Most issuers process this within 30 days.
After removal, dispute any remaining negative information with the credit bureaus if it continues to impact your score.
💡 Pro Tip
Check your credit report carefully before becoming an authorized user. Credit card issuers aren’t required to report an authorized user’s activity to the three major credit bureaus. Some issuers don’t report at all—meaning you won’t get the credit-building benefit. Before agreeing to be added as an authorized user, confirm with the card issuer that they report authorized user activity to all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
FAQs
Can an authorized user be held responsible for credit card debt?
No. Legally, authorized users are not responsible for paying the debt on a credit card account. The primary cardholder who opened the account bears full legal responsibility, regardless of who made the charges.
What’s the difference between an authorized user and a co-signer?
A co-signer vouches for someone who’s applying for their own credit card. The co-signer is telling the credit card issuer that if the cardholder can’t pay, they will. Co-signers are fully liable for debt. Authorized users are not liable.
Am I responsible for my spouse’s credit card debt as an authorized user?
Not typically—unless you live in a community property state and your spouse incurred the debt during your marriage. After death, community property laws may make surviving spouses responsible for debts regardless of authorized user status.
Can a credit card company sue an authorized user for payment?
No. The credit card company cannot pursue an authorized user for unpaid debts. An authorized user’s assets cannot be seized to pay the credit card debt. Only the primary cardholder can be sued for the balance.
What happens to authorized users when the primary cardholder dies?
According to the CFPB, authorized users are generally not responsible for paying the debts of deceased primary account holders. The estate typically pays outstanding balances before distributing assets to beneficiaries.
Can I remove myself as an authorized user?
Yes. Contact the card issuer and request removal. Most issuers process this immediately. After removal, the account may be deleted from your credit report or may remain as closed account history.
Will being an authorized user hurt my credit if the primary cardholder misses payments?
Yes. If the primary cardholder makes late payments, it can drag down your own credit scores. The account activity appears on both credit reports, so late payments and high balances damage both parties’ credit—even though only the primary cardholder is legally liable.
Disclaimer: This article about authorized user credit card liability and debt responsibility is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Authorized user liability laws and protections vary by state, and community property laws may affect spousal liability in certain jurisdictions. AllAboutLawyer.com does not provide legal services, representation, or consultations. If you have questions about your specific liability as an authorized user, are facing debt collection for authorized user charges, or need guidance on credit card debt disputes, consult a qualified attorney licensed in your state or contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov for federal protections and resources.
What to Do Next: Visit the CFPB’s authorized user resources at consumerfinance.gov to understand your federal protections and dispute rights.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
Last Updated: February 11, 2026 — We keep this current with the latest legal developments
This article provides general information about authorized user credit card liability. This is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney licensed in your state for specific legal guidance about your situation.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a former consumer rights attorney who spent years helping clients with issues like unfair billing, product disputes, and debt collection practices. At All About Lawyer, she simplifies consumer protection laws so readers can defend their rights and resolve problems with confidence.
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