 TITLE: What Is a Credit Card Cosigner and Should You Use One? CONTENT: When you apply for a credit card, the card issuer determines how likely or unlikely you are to pay your credit card debt by reviewing your credit history. If you have limited or poor credit, the issuer may determine you're too risky to lend to and deny your application.\nThis is where a credit card cosigner might come in handy. Applying with a cosigner who has strong credit scores and a good repayment history could help you get a credit card because they agree to pick up the tab if you don't or can't pay.\nTwo parties are involved in a cosigner scenario:\n*   **The primary credit card holder**: The primary credit card owner has the same privileges and obligations as most credit card consumers, including the ability to make purchases and pay off the balance. However, if the primary card holder can't repay the debt, the payment obligation shifts to the credit card cosigner (just like when there's a cosigner on a loan).\n*   **The cosigner**: A credit card cosigner takes the same responsibility as a cosigner would on any other kind of debt: If the primary card holder does not pay the credit card debt, the credit card cosigner is responsible for repaying it. END