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Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Is credit piggybacking illegal?

No, credit piggybacking is not illegal. It’s a legal strategy that involves becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit account in order to benefit from their positive payment history and potentially improve one's own credit score. However, there are risks associated with piggybacking credit, particularly when working with third-party companies, as some of these companies have shady business practices. 

How can I find someone to piggyback credit with?

If you're interested in piggybacking credit, there are several ways to find someone to piggyback credit with:

  • Ask a family member or friend. The most straightforward way to piggyback credit is to ask someone you know and trust to add you as an authorized user to one of their credit accounts.
  • Work with a reputable third-party company. Some third-party companies specialize in providing authorized user tradelines to help individuals improve their credit scores. Just make sure to do thorough research and carefully evaluate any piggybacking company before deciding to work with them.
Can piggybacking hurt my credit score?

While piggybacking credit can potentially help improve your credit score, it can also have negative effects if not done carefully. Some potential ways piggybacking credit can hurt your credit score include:

  • Late or missed payments. If the primary account holder misses a payment or pays late, this negative information will be reflected on your credit report as well.
  • High debt levels. If the primary account holder carries high levels of debt on the account you're piggybacking on, this can negatively impact your credit utilization ratio and potentially lower your credit score.
  • Working with a fraudulent or unscrupulous third-party company. Some third-party companies that offer authorized user tradelines may engage in fraudulent or unethical practices that can harm your credit score.
How can I raise my credit score without piggybacking?

There are several ways to raise your credit score without piggybacking:

  • Pay bills on time. One of the most important factors in building good credit is consistently paying bills on time. Late payments can negatively impact your credit score.
  • Keep debt levels low. Your credit utilization ratio, or the amount of debt you carry relative to your credit limit, can also impact your credit score. Keeping debt levels low can help improve your credit score.
  • Monitor your credit report. Regularly checking your credit report for errors or fraudulent activity can help ensure your credit score is accurate and prevent potential damage.
  • Build credit with a secured credit card or credit-builder loan. If you're just starting to build credit or need to rebuild credit, a secured credit card or credit-builder loan can be a good option to help establish a positive payment history.
  • Keep old credit accounts open. The length of your credit history is another factor that can impact your credit score. Keeping old credit accounts open, even if you're not using them, can help boost the length of your credit history and potentially improve your credit score over time.

Resources

For anyone struggling with their credit, there are numerous reputable resources available to help. A few include:

About the Authors

Christopher Murray

Written by: Christopher Murray

Personal Finance Expert

Christopher Murray is a professional personal finance and sustainability writer and editor who enjoys writing about everything from budgeting and saving to unique investing options like SRI and cryptocurrency.

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