Credit Tips: Joint Credit Card Account Question

Posted On: April 1, 2005

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Post subject: Joint credit card accounts

Bobcat
Date: 11/17/2000 10:28 am CDT

Is there a rule about whether both spouses must sign an application for a joint account? A recent copy of my credit report shows two accounts my spouse opened as joint accounts without my knowledge. Can I order them removed from my credit? I’ve never used them, never signed for them.

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Board Monitor - AD
Date: 11/17/2000 5:30 pm CDT

Dear Bobcat,

If an account is stated as a ‘joint account’, yes, both applicants must sign the application. In order for someone to place you on the account as a joint cardholder, you must authorize the transaction, because you will be held liable in the event the other cardholder defaults on payments.

You can be removed from a joint account, but this may effect the terms and conditions that were originally set forth, as the original application qualification was based on two applicants financial criteria’s and credit, and by removing yourself, it will be based on one applicant. But you need to contact the issuer of the card directly on this issue.

If you never authorized or signed any agreement to be on a credit card account as a joint cardholder, then you need to address this issue to the issuer of the card, as it can be considered as fraudulent activity.

Sincerely,
Alex Daskaloff
creditcardfreedom.com

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