Find answers to the most common questions about tradelines, credit building, and our services. Can't find what you're looking for? We're here to help!
Common questions about tradelines and how they work
A tradeline is a credit account that appears on your credit report. It can be a credit card, loan, mortgage, or any other type of credit account. When you're added as an authorized user to someone else's credit card account (a tradeline), that account's history—including its age, credit limit, and payment history—appears on your credit report.
This process can help improve your credit score by increasing your average account age, lowering your overall credit utilization ratio, and adding positive payment history to your credit profile. It's a completely legal practice recognized by credit bureaus and the Federal Trade Commission.
Yes, tradelines are 100% legal. The practice of adding authorized users to credit accounts is recognized and permitted by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), which was enacted by the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also confirmed that becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card is legal.
Credit card companies routinely add authorized users (family members, employees, etc.), and credit bureaus report this information. We simply facilitate this legal process in a compliant, transparent manner. All of our practices adhere to federal regulations and credit bureau guidelines.
Credit score improvements vary based on several factors including your current credit profile, existing accounts, credit history length, and the specific tradelines you select. On average, our clients see increases of 680+ points, but individual results can range from 50 to 200+ points.
Factors that affect your score increase include:
During your free consultation, we can provide a more accurate estimate based on your specific credit profile.
No, tradelines do not remove negative items such as late payments, collections, charge-offs, or bankruptcies from your credit report. However, they can help dilute the impact of these negative items by adding positive account history to your credit profile.
Think of it like a grade point average—adding positive accounts is like adding A's to your transcript. While it doesn't erase the C's or D's, it improves your overall average. For removing negative items, you may need to pursue credit repair services, file disputes with credit bureaus, or wait for items to age off your report naturally (typically 7-10 years).
Tradelines typically remain on your credit report for as long as you're an authorized user on the account. Most of our tradeline placements are for 60 days (two reporting cycles), which is usually sufficient time for the positive impact to be reflected in your credit score.
After you're removed as an authorized user, the tradeline may remain on your report for an additional 30-60 days before falling off. Some credit scoring models continue to give you credit for the account's age even after it's removed, which can provide lasting benefits.
If you need the tradeline to remain longer for a specific purpose (like qualifying for a loan), we offer extended placement options. Discuss your timeline and goals with your credit specialist during your consultation.
When done correctly with quality tradelines, the answer is no. We only work with seasoned tradelines that have perfect payment history, low utilization, and significant age. These characteristics are designed to improve your credit profile, not harm it.
However, it's important to note that:
Our vetting process and expert guidance ensure you're only added to quality tradelines that will benefit your credit profile.
Everything you need to know about personal tradelines
No, you will NOT receive a physical credit card, account numbers, or any ability to make purchases or charges on the account. You are added as an authorized user for credit reporting purposes only.
The primary account holder retains complete control of the account, including all spending decisions. You won't be liable for any charges, and you can't access or use the account in any way. This arrangement protects both you and the primary account holder.
No, absolutely not. As an authorized user, you have ZERO financial liability for the account. You are not responsible for any charges, balances, or payments on the tradeline account.
All financial responsibility remains with the primary account holder. Even if the account were to default (which we prevent through our vetting process), you would not be held liable. Your credit report will show the account, but you have no legal obligation to pay any debt associated with it.
There is no minimum credit score requirement to use our tradeline services. We work with clients at all credit levels—from those with no credit history to those looking to optimize already good credit.
Tradelines can help:
The key is selecting the right tradelines for your current situation, which is exactly what we help you do during your consultation.
Yes, many of our clients use tradelines specifically to improve their credit scores before applying for mortgages, auto loans, or other major financing. A higher credit score can qualify you for better interest rates, saving thousands of dollars over the life of a loan.
However, it's important to understand:
We recommend discussing your specific lending goals with us so we can time your tradeline placement appropriately and select accounts that will be viewed favorably by lenders.
Choosing the right tradeline depends on several factors including your current credit profile, goals, timeline, and budget. Key considerations include:
This is why we provide free consultations—our experts will analyze your credit report, understand your goals, and recommend specific tradelines that will have the maximum positive impact on your score. You can also browse available tradelines on our Personal Tradelines page to see what's available.
Yes, many clients add 2-3 tradelines simultaneously for maximum impact. Adding multiple tradelines can provide several benefits:
However, we typically don't recommend adding more than 3-4 tradelines at once, as this could raise red flags with lenders. The optimal number depends on your current credit profile and goals, which we'll discuss during your consultation to create the most effective strategy for your situation.
Common questions about building business credit
To qualify for business tradelines, you need to have a properly established business entity. Basic requirements include:
Your business doesn't need to be old or have significant revenue—we can help startups and new businesses establish credit from day one. The key is having your business properly structured and registered.
No! This is one of the major benefits of business credit. Business tradelines report only to business credit bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, Equifax Business), NOT to personal credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
This means your business credit activity won't impact your personal credit score, and you can build both simultaneously without interference. This separation is crucial for protecting your personal assets and credit profile while growing your business.
Business credit and personal credit are tracked by different bureaus and serve different purposes:
Building strong business credit allows you to access significantly more capital while protecting your personal financial profile.
Yes! Once you've established strong business credit (typically a business credit score of 75+ with Dun & Bradstreet), many lenders and vendors will extend credit without requiring a personal guarantee.
This is one of the most powerful benefits of business credit—it protects your personal assets and allows you to leverage your business credit profile instead of your personal credit. However, building to this level typically requires:
Our business tradeline program accelerates this process, helping you reach the threshold for no-personal-guarantee credit faster than traditional methods.
With our business tradeline program, you can establish a business credit profile in 30-90 days, which is significantly faster than building business credit from scratch (which typically takes 6-12 months or longer).
Timeline breakdown:
The exact timeline depends on the tradelines selected, how quickly they report to business bureaus, and your specific business situation. Many clients see their business credit profile established within 45-60 days.
Questions about our process and what to expect
Most clients see tradelines appear on their credit reports within 30-45 days of placement. The exact timing depends on when the credit card company reports to the credit bureaus, which typically happens once per month.
Timeline breakdown:
Your credit score should improve as soon as the tradeline posts to your report. We provide updates throughout the process and notify you when we see the tradeline reporting.
To add you as an authorized user on tradeline accounts, we'll need basic personal information:
All information is protected with bank-level encryption and never shared with unauthorized third parties. We only use this information to add you as an authorized user on the selected tradeline accounts.
We stand behind our service with a money-back guarantee. If a tradeline we provide fails to report to your credit report within the expected timeframe, we will:
With a 98% success rate, this rarely happens, but we want you to feel confident that you're protected. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Tradeline pricing varies based on the specific account characteristics including age, credit limit, and utilization. Generally, tradelines with older age and higher credit limits cost more because they provide greater credit score impact.
Typical pricing ranges:
Browse available tradelines and pricing on our Personal Tradelines page, or schedule a free consultation to get personalized recommendations with transparent pricing. There are no hidden fees—what we quote is what you pay.
Yes, we understand that improving your credit is an investment in your financial future. We offer flexible payment options to make our services accessible:
Discuss your budget and payment preferences with your credit specialist during your consultation. We'll work with you to find a payment solution that fits your financial situation.
After you purchase a tradeline, here's what happens:
Throughout the entire process, your dedicated credit specialist is available by phone, email, or chat to answer any questions or concerns.
Our refund policy depends on the stage of the process:
If you have concerns or need to cancel, contact us immediately. We're committed to finding a fair resolution that works for both parties.
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