Whether it is to help a child become credit-ready, teach responsibility, or assist them during tough times, some parents decide to allow their kids to make purchases with their credit card.
Parents may occasionally lend their child their credit card for a one-time purchase. However, if the credit card is intended to be used regularly, parents can add them as authorized users on their credit card.
When issued a credit card by your parents, you may wonder how much privacy you get. You may find yourself asking, “What can my parents see when I buy with their credit card?”
Your parents can see where and when you buy something with their credit card, but they do not get an itemized list of your purchases.
Let’s take a closer look at what your parents can see.
Read more: 6 Simple Ways to Better This World with Money and Family Values
Can My Parents See What I Buy with Their Credit Card?
When your parents add you as an authorized user on their credit card, you are usually issued a card with your name on it.
Despite your name being on it, the card belongs to your parents account. They are the primary cardholders; thus, they are responsible and legally bound to pay all the charges made.
As an authorized user, you cannot make any changes to the account, such as increasing the credit limit, changing the profile or contact information, or adding more authorized users.
An authorized user can choose to remove themselves from the account, so in this case, you could call the card issuer and do it yourself.
As the primary account holders, your parents can see where and when you’ve made a purchase, but they cannot see a list of items acquired with each transaction.
Your parents can view their credit card statements online or receive a paper copy. They can also review transactions through online banking.
These statements provide a summary of transactions by billing period, typically once a month.
Online banking, on the other hand, provides real-time updates when purchases are made.
But neither method displays the individual items or any additional specifics about each charge.
What Can My Parents See When I Buy with Their Credit Card?
While parents cannot see the specific items purchased with each transaction, they can obtain some useful information from their credit card statement.
Parents can see the retailer’s name, such as a department store, restaurant, or online shop.
They can also see the category the business falls into, such as gas, groceries, utilities, or entertainment. This helps the primary account holder keep track of their overall spending habits.
Additionally, your parents can see when each purchase was made and the amount of each transaction.
In rare cases, depending on your parents’ banking institution, they may have access to supplementary services that allow them more insight into individual purchases.
They may also set up alerts for large monetary transactions or purchases from certain merchants.
Conclusion on What Parents Can See When Buying with Their Credit Card
While parents cannot see the specific items purchased with their credit card, they can have access to basic information, such as the merchant’s name, business category, purchase date, and the amount of each transaction.
Trust and privacy are essential in any relationship. When buying items with your parents’ credit card, the responsible thing to do as the authorized cardholder is to never take part in dishonest or fraudulent activities.
Trust is gained when you act responsibly and within the legal boundaries.
