 TITLE: 7 Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Credit CONTENT: 4\\. Cosigned Loans\n------------------\nCosigning a loan for a loved one is a generous act because it can help them qualify for credit they might not have gotten on their own. But it's important to understand that cosigners aren't just lending their good credit for the application—they're also responsible for paying back the loan if the primary borrower can't.\nA cosigned loan will show up on your credit report as though you borrowed the money yourself, and if a payment is missed, it can damage credit scores for both borrowers attached to the loan. Also, having the debt on your credit report could increase your debt-to-income ratio, which can make it difficult for you to get approved for credit when you need it. END