[3872lehigh]

My grandmother passed away recently. She included me on several credit card accounts where I was an authorized user. Should I now notify the credit companies? How exactly should I start to eliminate the debt? She had a good paying record until she passed, however, it is now impacted on my credit history.

Thanks.
3872lehigh

>Moved from Intros<

[progunr]

While the credit reporting agencies do report this type of debt, on the authorized signers credit bureau, it really is not legal to do so.

I believe that eventually, there will be a class action law suit filed to stop this practice.

You are not responsible for the debt, unless you signed something agreeing to that fact.

Write a letter to any creditor that is showing these accounts on your reports. Request that they forward to you a copy of the contract you signed, agreeing to this debt. If they do not do so, you can then request that these accounts be removed from your credit reports.

If she had a estate, and or a will, these issues will be addressed in the settlement of the estate.

[Loan_Guy]

My grandmother passed away recently. She included me on several credit card accounts where I was an authorized user. Should I now notify the credit companies? How exactly should I start to eliminate the debt? She had a good paying record until she passed, however, it is now impacted on my credit history.

Thanks.
3872lehigh

>Moved from Intros<

Since you are an AU on the account, the bureaus can report the info. If grandma passed (sorry!), you will need to let them know that.

If it were me, I would write a letter to each cc company letting them know that grandma passed. Include a copy of the death certificate and ask that the accounts be closed and your name be removed from the accounts. Be very direct and tell them that you were on the cards for grandma's convenience and that you did not receive any benefit from them.

I would send CMRRR, but since it is a company, a delivery confirmation is probably OK in this situation.

Once your name is removed, the reference should drop from your credit reports.

LG