In the past people were able to use the credit cards of their family members so long as they had written permission – say from a father or mother. Husbands and wives also allowed using each other’s credit cards. Those days are long gone. In an effort to eliminate credit card fraud, now the only person who can use your credit card is you. Your signature must be on the back of the credit card. If the card is not signed the most merchants require additional proof that the card does, in fact, belong to you. There are ways for a family to share the same card number, but that involves having extra cards issued in each family member’s name. Even then many credit card companies put a cap on the number of cards that they issue per card number – again to minimize fraud. For parents wishing to provide credit cards to their children, they have the option of opening up joint accounts with their children where they determine a preset spending limit and then both parties are liable for paying the minimum balance at the end of the month. Joint credit cards are a good way for parent’s to help their children start building a good credit history, of teaching them to be responsible with money and of showing them smart ways of managing their credit card debt. Businesses can issue credit cards to their employees and set spending limits. Aside from the case mentioned herein, the only person who can legally use your credit card is you.
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