Can My Son Use My Credit Card With Permission?

Allowing a son to use a parent’s credit card involves important financial and legal considerations. Understanding the responsibilities, potential liabilities, and formal processes is important for both parties. This arrangement can have implications for credit scores, debt responsibility, and legal standing.

Understanding Authorization and Age

Authorization refers to the permission granted by the primary cardholder for another individual to make charges on their account. This permission can be explicit or implied through a pattern of accepted use. The legal ramifications of this authorization depend significantly on the son’s age.

For minors under 18, credit agreements are generally not legally binding. If a minor uses a parent’s credit card, the parent remains solely responsible for all charges incurred because the minor cannot be held liable for the debt. Any spending by a minor on the card falls under the primary cardholder’s financial obligation.

If the son is an adult (18 years or older), they are legally accountable for their own debts. While an adult son can be given permission to use a parent’s card, the primary cardholder retains ultimate financial responsibility for those charges unless the son is formally added as an authorized user or a joint account holder. The primary cardholder’s credit standing is directly tied to all activity on the account, regardless of who makes the purchases.

Cardholder Responsibility for Use

The primary cardholder bears full financial and legal responsibility for all transactions on their credit card account. This holds true even when explicit permission has been granted for their son to use the card. Any charges incurred by the son become the obligation of the primary cardholder to repay.

If the son uses the card without permission or for fraudulent purposes, the primary cardholder has protections under federal law. The Fair Credit Billing Act limits a cardholder’s liability for unauthorized charges to $50, provided the cardholder reports the unauthorized use promptly. Many credit card issuers offer “zero liability” policies, meaning the cardholder may not be responsible for unauthorized charges if reported timely. Disputing charges made by a family member without permission can be complicated, as it may involve reporting fraud, which could lead to legal consequences for the family member.

All spending, payments, and credit utilization on the account directly impact the primary cardholder’s credit score. High balances, late payments, or exceeding the credit limit, even if caused by the son’s spending, will negatively affect the parent’s credit history. Maintaining good credit management, such as timely payments and low credit utilization, protects the primary cardholder’s financial standing.

Adding an Authorized User

Formally adding a son as an authorized user to a credit card account is a structured way to allow them access while defining responsibilities. This process typically involves contacting the credit card issuer directly, either online or by phone. The primary cardholder will usually need to provide specific information about the authorized user, such as their full name, date of birth, and sometimes their Social Security Number.

For the son, becoming an authorized user can be beneficial for building a credit history. The account’s payment history and credit utilization may be reported to major credit bureaus, potentially helping the authorized user establish or improve their credit score, especially if the primary account is managed responsibly with on-time payments and low debt. However, if the primary cardholder makes late payments or carries high balances, this negative activity can also reflect on the authorized user’s credit report.

Despite having their own card, the primary cardholder remains 100% financially responsible for all charges made by the authorized user. The authorized user is not legally obligated to make payments on the account. Should the need arise, the primary cardholder can typically remove an authorized user by contacting the credit card issuer, often with a simple phone call or online request.