Was this a bad idea? (Authorised user isn't real)
 

So, my legal name isn't actually Alex, but Alex is the name I use. I hate it at restaurants when they read the name on the card (my legal name) and say "have a nice day -my legal name that I hate-" - knowing that some card companies allow authorised users with no evidence that is a legal person, I got online and tried - only Bank of America and American Express wanted a SSN. The others let me just type in Alex and get an authorised user card.

Will these banks (Discover, Citi, Barclay's, Chase) try to add this to a credit report, realise Alex isn't a legal person and is just the name I normally use, and take adverse action? I know I probably should have tried just one instead of going for all four but I'm like "okay, I'm sick of this credit-card-has-legal-name thing, I'm taking care of this now" - it's too late obviously, but do you all foresee any issues?

It's pretty cheeky for anyone to call you by your first name without being invited to, but a little silly to go to the length you did to avoid it. Just develop a steely glare and correct them by saying "It's MISTER MT." You'll be doing them a favor.

Where I live, using Mr/Miss legal name would be considered too formal and itself possibly insulting. I get called Mr/Miss very rarely (and I laugh, you'd have to meet me to understand why, but it's basically a 50/50 split between Mr and Miss when it does happen...).

Was this a bad idea? (Authorised user isn't real)
 

Consider a legal name change?

I might, frankly I'm not too worried about this being a problem except with Barclay's... I've heard they're picky about stuff... wishing I hadn't requested the AU with Barclay's...

Was this a bad idea? (Authorised user isn't real)
 

What's your given name?

Alexander?

Well, if you "hate" your legal name, this goes far beyong Barclays. :confused:

Have you considered changing your legal name if it bothers you?

Changing your name legally is not expensive and easy to do. You can go to a court house on your own or hire a lawyer.
Good luck. Alexander is a great name though.

What does it matter anyway? You can ask to have it removed from your credit report anyway it isn't your card and your not responsible for it.

I don't think you read my post I said I wanted a card under the name I actually use. Not the opposite. Anyway it seems it'll be no problem some people have their cats with Chase lol.

I find they usually call me by my last name actually as that is more polite

Legal Name Change
 

The process of getting the legal name change is easy - I did it a while ago. No lawyer was required in my state. But then you have to change EVERYTHING ELSE - social security, drivers license, passport, credit cards, frequent flyer/hotel programs, etc...

I didn't have to change those things for the legal name change because I was simply changing the birth certificate to finally match DL, SS and credit cards. But when I got married a few years later, I had to change everything and that was very time-consuming.

I guess I don't see the problem. :confused:

I also do not like my given name, and have not used it since I was about 10 years old. Half of my credit cards have the name I use, and the other half have my legal given name.

My drivers license and passport have my given name.

Alex, have I misunderstood your question?