Call your card issuer and ask to remove the authorized user
The fastest way to remove an authorized user is to phone the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Tell the representative you want to remove a specific authorized user from your account. They will ask for the authorized user's name and may ask for the last four digits of their card number to confirm who you mean.
The removal usually takes effect when ready, though the authorized user's physical card may remain valid for a few hours or even a day while the system updates. If you want the card destroyed right away, ask the representative whether the user should cut it up or return it to you. Some issuers will mail you a prepaid envelope for card returns.
Keep the confirmation number or reference code the representative gives you. Write down the date and time of the call and the name of the person you spoke with. This creates a record if there are questions later about when the removal happened.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card and ask to remove the authorized user by name; the removal is usually when ready.
- The authorized user's card may stay active for a short time after removal while the system updates, so ask whether they should destroy it when ready.
- Removing an authorized user does not affect their personal credit report, but it does stop them from making charges on your account.
- Some card issuers let you remove an authorized user through their online portal or mobile app instead of calling.
- The authorized user will no longer appear on your monthly statement once the removal processes, usually within one billing cycle.
Check whether your card issuer has an online removal option
Many major card issuers now let you manage authorized users through their website or mobile app without calling. Log into your account, look for a section called "Account Settings," "Manage Account," or "Authorized Users," and follow the prompts to remove the person you choose.
Online removal is often faster than calling and gives you an when ready confirmation screen you can screenshot for your records. However, not all issuers offer this feature, and some only let you remove an authorized user by phone. If you cannot find the option in your account, calling is your next step.
Understand what happens to the authorized user's credit
Removing an authorized user from your card does not erase their credit history with that account. The account may remain on their credit report for up to seven years, even after removal, because the credit bureaus keep a record of accounts they were added to.
However, once you remove them, they are no longer responsible for any new charges on the card, and the account stops affecting their credit score going forward. If the account had a positive payment history, that positive history stays on their report. If there were late payments or high balances while they were authorized, those negative marks remain as well.
Ask the issuer whether the authorized user will be notified
Most card issuers do not automatically send a notification to the authorized user when they are removed. The person may not realize they have been removed until they try to use the card and it declines, or until they check their credit report and see the account status has changed.
If you want to avoid confusion or conflict, tell the authorized user yourself before or right after you remove them. This is especially important if the removal is unexpected or if the person may try to use the card soon. A quick phone call or text prevents them from being embarrassed at a checkout counter.
Handle the physical card after removal
Once the authorized user is removed from your account, their card is no longer valid, even if it has not expired. Ask them to cut the card in half and throw it away, or ask them to return it to you. Some people keep old cards by accident, and a card that looks valid but does not work can cause confusion later.
If you are concerned the authorized user might try to use the card after removal, you can ask your issuer to cancel the card number entirely rather than just deactivating it. This is a stronger step and prevents any possibility of the card working, even if there is a system delay.
Document the removal in writing if there is a dispute
If the authorized user contests the removal or claims they should still have access, having a written record protects you. Save any confirmation emails from your card issuer, note the date and time you called, and keep the confirmation number the representative gave you.
If the authorized user makes unauthorized charges after removal and claims they did not know they had been removed, your documentation shows when the removal took place. This is especially important if the person is a family member or someone you have had financial disagreements with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing an authorized user hurt their credit score?
Removal itself does not hurt their score, but the account may remain on their credit report and continue to affect their score based on its history. If the account had late payments or high balances while they were authorized, those negative marks stay. If the account was in good standing, removal does not change that positive history.
Can an authorized user remove themselves from my card?
No. Only the primary cardholder can remove an authorized user. The authorized user cannot call the issuer and ask to be removed from someone else's account. If an authorized user wants off the account, they have to ask you to remove them.
What if the authorized user keeps using the card after I remove them?
Report any unauthorized charges to your card issuer right away. Explain that you removed the person from the account and they continued to use the card. The issuer will investigate and may reverse the charges. You may also need to file a police report if the charges were made without your permission.
How long does it take for removal to show up on their credit report?
The account status usually updates within one to two billing cycles, though it may take longer for the change to appear on their credit report. Credit bureaus update their records periodically, not in real time. Check your next statement to confirm the authorized user no longer appears.
Can I remove an authorized user if they are a joint account holder?
No. A joint account holder has equal rights to the account and cannot be removed by the other person. If you want to end someone's access to a joint account, you typically have to close the account and open a new one in your name alone. Consult your card issuer about your options.