Becoming an Authorized User to Rebuild Credit

Being added as an authorized user on someone else's well-managed credit card can import that account's positive history to your report — a legitimate, low-effort way to rebuild.

When it helps

• The account has a long history and on-time payments
• Utilization on the card stays low
• The issuer reports authorized users to the bureaus

The risks

If the primary holder misses payments or runs up the balance, it can drag your score down too. Choose the account carefully, and remember you don't need to actually use — or even hold — the card.