Authorized user

[herauntsis]

I have a Sears MC on which my roommate is an authorized user (the account is NOT in her name and she is NOT legally liable for the debt). This shows up on her credit report as if it is her account; there is no mention of her being only an authorized user. This was a three-bureau merged report, and where it shows who is on the account, it says "Subject," not "Joint," nor "Authorized User." I called Sears and went around and around with them; they are very arrogant and annoying -- it appears to me that basically, they think they are God and can do whatever the hell they like. I told them I was pretty sure that it was against the law for them to do that, but they say I am wrong, and that the only way to get it off her credit is to remove her from the account. I don't want to do that, because this is the card we use for household shared expenses. Plus, now I am mad, and it would please me greatly to be able to make them do the right thing

Now that I have told you my long, boring story, here are my questions: I looked at the section of your site where you quote the FCRA, and I couldn't quite figure out where exactly it says that only the person who is legally liable for the account can be reported (I don't speak fluent legalese), can you spell that out a little more clearly for me, please? Also, is it against the law for Sears to report it to the CRAs that way, or is it against the law for the CRAs to put it on her report, or both? I mean, should I go further in trying to get Sears to stop reporting it, or should I just skip them and go directly to the CRAs to get them to stop putting it on her report?

Thanks for all your help -- I am making progress

[admin]

No, they can't do that. They can only report if there is a clear offer of credit. I would also say that you could force them to provide proof like her signature and take them to small claims. If they can't prove that she signed the contract, they are in the wrong. Start playing hardball today.

[herauntsis]

Oh, goody -- I was hoping you would say that

Just to clarify -- when you say "they" and "them," do you mean Sears or the CRAs or both

Thanks again and again

[admin]

Both of them will claim this. I would attack both at the same time. Force Sears to provide you proof or you will sue. When you dispute this with the credit bureaus, make sure you ask for the method of verification. You should win!

[Anonymous]

I am a authorized user on a Sears account that has gone to collections. So are you saying that it is illegal for them to place that on my CR? If so, do I need to just dispute with the CRA as "not mine?"