Helping Others Build Credit as Authorized Users
BECU now includes authorized users when we report a primary cardholder’s account activity to credit bureaus. Many members have requested this credit-building tool because being an authorized user can help a person build credit history.
- Share
-
-
-
What's changing
Starting April 1, 2022, BECU began reporting authorized users to the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Why add an authorized user?
Being an authorized user can help a person begin building their credit history. It can help teens learn about money-management in a low-risk way, and provide access to people who can't qualify for their own account.
What you need to know
- All account activity of the primary cardholder (both positive and negative) from the last 24 months will be reported.
- If you (the primary cardholder) have kept your account in good standing, the reported activity can improve an authorized user's credit score. Conversely, any interruptions in your payment history over the last 24 months could negatively impact an authorized user's credit score.
- Anyone age 13 or over can be an authorized user.
- As a primary cardholder, adding an authorized user will not impact your credit score unless the authorized user does something to jeopardize your account standing (i.e., charging more on your account than you're able to pay).
Removing an authorized user
If you'd like to remove an authorized user from your account—or if you're an authorized user who'd like to be removed from an account and no longer associated with it—just call us at 800-233-2328, send a secure message in Online Banking or the mobile app, or visit a BECU location.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please call a BECU representative at 800-233-2328. You can also send us a secure message in Online or or the mobile app, or visit any BECU location. To find a location near you, visit our Locations page.