We may earn a small commission from links at no extra cost to you. Read more.

If someone you trust offers to help you build credit, they’re usually talking about one of two options — and they work very differently.

Authorized User

You’re added to someone else’s existing card. You may get your own card number, but you have no legal responsibility for the debt — the primary cardholder does. Many (not all) issuers report the account’s full history to your credit file, which can meaningfully help your score if the account has a long, on-time history and low utilization.

The catch: it also cuts both ways. If the primary holder runs up a high balance or misses a payment, that can hurt your score too — with zero control on your end.

Joint Account

Both people apply together and share equal legal responsibility for the debt. This builds credit for both parties directly, since it’s genuinely both of your accounts — but it also means you’re each fully on the hook if the other doesn’t pay. Joint credit cards are less common than they used to be; a joint personal loan or auto loan is more typical in practice.

Which to Choose

• Want to help someone build credit with minimal risk to yourself: authorized user, with a card you trust them not to overuse.
• Building your own history without waiting on someone else’s account: a secured card is generally more reliable than hoping to become an authorized user.
• Considering a joint account: only with someone whose financial habits you’d trust with your own money, since you’re equally liable either way.

See more in Building Credit guides.