How do I cancel a joint Dillard's credit card: I was added as a joint holder without my knowledge or consent?

Question

Several years ago one of my parents decided to add me onto their credit card as a joint holder. I'm only finding out about this now, because I'm reviewing one of my credit reports and see this account listed on my report.

I was totally unaware that I was even a joint holder on this account. Plus, I never see in the mail any statements from the Dillard's credit card either, so I was in the dark about all of this for several years. So far the account is in good standing and there haven't been any late payments or any of that, but still, I don't want to risk being on this joint account that I don't even use and don't even have a card for it, so I don't even know the numbers or expiration dates on the card.

Not that I don't trust my parent, but I don't want to take any risks. Is that even legal to have them put me on their credit card as a joint holder? I would have never agreed to do anything like this. How do I prevent something like this from happening again? They need my permission!

Answer 1

Are you positive that you are a joint holder and not an authorized user?

It sounds like one of your parents placed you on the account while you were a minor so that you would have decent credit scores by the time you came of age. If thats the case, they did not need your permission.
Plus they have kept the account in good standing.

You should discuss it with your parents and ask them to have you removed.

You will probably see your scores drop after you are removed which will hurt you if you are planning a major purchase in the next 6 to 12 months.
It may drop your scores down to where you normally would be if you never had the age and utilization of that account, so you should not blame your parents for the score drop.

Answer 2

Get a copy of your credit report and find the accounts in question. Look in the left hand side under the lenders name, there will either be a C for co-sign, a J for joint or a A for authorized user. If you see either a C or J, you are responsible for the debt, if however you see a A then you are not responsible for the debt. Like Echo said, even if you are a joint signer, if you can prove that your Grandma made the charges and not you, you can petition her estate to pay the debts. Good luck and sorry to here about your Grandma.

Answer 3

Call them and let them know. They will send you an affidavit to sign, and may ask you to send back a copy of your driver's license.

Then they will remove you from the card.

You are smart for not wanting to take risks. Explain to them that these people are you parents.

Answer 4

call dilliards and talk to them about the problem. call there credit department.