Can I be sued as an authorized user on a credit card for non-payments??

Question

I was wondering if I became an authorized user on a credit card, can the primary card holder sue me for the purchases on the credit card? I have read that as an authorized user, I would not be responsible for paying the debt. Is this true, and if so, would it hold up in a small claims court if a lawsuit was filed?? Thanks!!

Answer 1

The credit card company can't sue the secondary card holder for the debts, only the primary. However, if the primary card holder can convince the Small Clams Court that you KNEW you were to pay for YOUR purchases on the card, then the primary card holder may be able to get the money from you.

Answer 2

As an authorized user, legally the primary cardholder is authorizing your use of that credit card account and typically the credit card company will get your social security. However, in order for a primary cardholder to sue you for the purchases you there would have to be an verbal or written agreement as to the limit you are authorized to spend and what portion, if any, you are responsible to pay back. Small claims courts typically make decisions based on "more likely than not" vs "beyond a reasonable doubt" as it is in criminal court. Keep in mind if the bill is not paid your credit, as well as the primary cardholder, will be adversely effected.

Answer 3

The credit card company may not come after you, but the primary card holder can. You are most definitely responsible for paying the bill and the credit card company may come after you if the primary person doesn't pay the bill. It may come out in court that you don't have to, but by then you'll have paid so much in lawyer's fees that it probably would have been better to pay the bill anyway. If the primary takes you to small claims, you'd better have something better than 'I read somewhere that...'. Unless you have the credit card agreement that explicitely states that authorized users are not responsible for the debt, then you'd better make payments. And if it's not your debt, cancel your card ASAP so as to prevent any other charges going against you. BTW, small claims cases can only go up to $7500, otherwise you'll be in superior court (depending on what state your in, the name may differ).

Answer 4

If you're an authorized user, the primary account holder authorized your name to be put on the account and therefore generally has no claim against you for your use of it.

Your liability to the card issuer gets a bit sticky, though. Normally if you did not apply for the card or sign the cardholder agreement you can't be held liable for the bill. However most cards have a disclaimer printed on them that by accepting, signing or using the card you agree to be bound by all terms of the existing cardholder agreement. In some jurisdictions credit card issuers have successfully recovered from an authorized user based upon that disclaimer. Most credit card transaction receipts include a similar disclaimer and that has been used for successful recovery as well.

Answer 5

This is true. The credit being dolled out is not based on your credit history, but on the history of the primary card holder. The primary card holder assumes all of the risks associated with having an authorized user.

Answer 6

The primary card holder is responsible EXCEPT if YOU YOURSELF signed for any purchases made as an AUTHORISED USER of the card.... so if you bought ANYTHING on the card--you WOULD be liable to pay that portion of the credit card BECAUSE you are authorized to USE said card.... Now, here is what you DO by NOT paying for your own purchases... you TOTALLY and PERMANENTLY ruined the credit of the primary card holder WHO, if a friend or relative will probably HATE you for life.. you will lose a person who has either been a good friend OR a good relative....don't rip him off any longer then you already have----PAY the cost of whatever you purchased on the card... It makes you look like a sleazy person if you rip this person off by not paying for whatever YOU bought with the card YOURSELF. If you bought and signed for NOTHING on the card, the of COURSE you are not liable for any payments.... for example. My EX husband got a credit card in HIS NAME ONLY.... he refused to pay----the credit card company came after ME but I had NEVER used the card, NEVER signed for any purchases with the card and I was found to be NOT RESPONSIBLE for the credit card bills.

Answer 7

Yes, that is true. An authorized user is capable of charging money to the card, but is not legally responsible for the bill.
I don't know how you might fair in small claims court. The decision would have to be based on ethics, I suppose, as opposed to legal contracts and whathaveyou.

Answer 8

The credit card company cannot hold you responsible UNLESS you are a co-app and you supplied your social security number.

The primary card holder can sue you for not repaying what is owed. As to whether it would hold up, if you were reckless in purchasing, and they paid for items that you used, it would generally hold up.

Answer 9

In terms of liability to the creditor, you aren't liable if you are an authorized user and not a co-signer. In small claims, however, a civil suit could be brought against you, and then its really up to the judge.

Answer 10

NO he did no longer sign the contract with the credit card company you probably did. yet although you're married now and your funds are joined. it may come right down to the guidelines on your state. yet maximum credit card companies do no longer choose to make the attempt and money to return once you for charge.