Quick Question re:Joint Credit Cards

[Monny]

Is it in anyway possible/allowed for a husband to apply for joint credit card in his and his wife's names but without telling his wife before hand?

Joint credit cards don't exist. Somebody has to be the account holder, and you can then make someone else a named cardholder so they get their own card, but the original person is liable for the debt. The cardholder is not usually credit checked.

If he knows your details and could have beaten you to the post, he could well have applied in your name. I'd check your credit file online.

Thanks ISuck -I expect that I am a named holder then. So he's allowed to do that without my consent?

Yes, as far as I know the primary card holder can ask for others to get cards without their consent. Why would it be a problem?

Thanks LTT. I don't know if it's a problem, was just curious to come across a card in my name that I knew nothing of...

Hmmm, been thinking some more about this. If I have been added as an additional card holder, is there any possibility that I can be made liable for the main cardholder's debts???

No, not at all.

Quite the opposite, the main card holder has to pay for whatever you run up.

Yes it's possible for him to add you as a cardholder. My husband has done this for me a few times, with my knowledge.

Some CC companies these days offer a second card as standard. They will ask for the name of spouse on the application form and issue a card on no more than that.

It's a way to get the cardholder accumulating more debt which = happy card company.

the fuckers.

Thanks all and a relief that I can't find myself owing money! Sorry one more thought though. Even if I am not responsible for any debts the main cardholder accrues, can being an named cardholder on the account of someone who runs up debts affect my credit score?

*not that I think my DH has run up debts (probably)

Not really. You'll likely be financially linked anyway, because you're married, but any negative effects would go on his credit file.

Thanks iSuck, I suppose that would apply too if he ran up debts using my one of the cards too (because theoretically he could have a wild shopping extravaganza on Amazon, etc.)?

You are not automatically financially linked by marriage- you have to have a joint financial commitment like a bank account mortgage etc.

A secondary card holder wouldn't be responsible for the debts on a credit said account but I'd be very very suspicious about any card with my name on it that I was unaware of- what possible reason is there for that???

Card not 'said'!

I was presuming that they would be linked via a mortgage, but you're right, I shouldn't have assumed.

If the account is in his name, he'd be liable, however the debts get run up. Even if the card with your name on spent all of the money. He'll have signed in the initial agreement to say any debt run up by any cardholders is his responsibility, too.

I'd double check that he has taken them out in his name and not yours, though. I can't see why he wouldn't have told you, otherwise. He went to the effort of ordering a card in your name, so why didn't he give it to you?

You can use Equifax to look at an online version of your credit file within a few minutes, and that'll show if there are credit card searches, or a new account, in your name. It'll also show if your financially linked. There is a free trial if you haven't already used it.

At least that way you'll know for sure whether the debt is his responsibility, or if he's applied in your name.

On a credit check basis you tend to be linked by having the same address and companies will mark you down for that if one of you has problems. This is solvable if you divorce / move out and contact them.

On a credit check basis you tend to be linked by having the same address and companies will mark you down for that if one of you has problems

That is simply not true.

To be financially linked to a person you have to have a joint financial commitment- living at the same address does not link you and one person at that address having problems does not affect anyone else at that address unless they share a bank account or other financial liability.

Yes, make sure it isn't an account in your name or you will be liable for it, if he's made a fraudulent application. Although he would have had to had it delivered to your home address with your name on and intercepted it before you got the mail, is that likely?

This suggests living together can cause issues even without joint financial commitment

The messages above are not quite the whole picture.

If you divorce and the debt is considered to be a "joint debt" then yes you can be liable for some of the debt. Bugger if your ex is a real shit and runs up a debt (yes illegally but you try proving it) on "your" card as well his own.

Finding a credit card that i didn't know about in my name would be without a shadow of a doubt send me straight to the divorce lawyers.

Thanks for all your really helpful replies telling me how this works and putting my mind to rest about this curious discovery. I think it's unlikely to be a fraudulent application as I am home a lot more and most likely to meet the postman. I will, however, make sure I am only named...

When I applied for a new one recently I got one for DH as well without asking him, it's just what we do, he did what you've done and found it where I left it on the coffee table when I opened the envelope. No divorce has been mentioned. Have you actually asked him Monny?

This suggests living together can cause issues even without joint financial commitment

It doesn't caroldecker it's talking about a name change and not being on the electoral register affecting the persons credit rating- it makes no mention of it being due to being financially linked to her husband. She could have moved somewhere else on her own and changed her name by deed poll and it would have been the same.

It is an urban myth that marriage or sharing and address links you on a credit report- it absolutely doesn't- only a shared financial commitment will link your credit reports.

Hopefully this will clarify things caroldecker

Bearbehind sorry my previous link was wrong. From this Experian leaflet:

Some lenders will let you choose to be assessed on your own without using information about your partner. But if you do this, the lender will only take account of your income. You will also have to declare that your partner does not have bad debts and the lender can check that this is true.

Although i agree most places suggest only financial links, although shared utility bills can count.

FFS - which part of 'Being in a person relationship with someone does not link up your credit reports. Neither does living at the same address. Credit reports can only become linked if two people actually apply for credit together or they tell us or a lender that they are financially connected' do you not understand?