Add a third party to your credit card account
You can add a third party to your credit card to act on your behalf. This is usually done if you need short-term support with your finances. The person you nominate will be able to carry out basic queries on your account.
How to add a third party to your account
To add a third party to your credit card account, please call us via the number below when the person you'd like to act on your behalf is with you. We’ll take you through all your options for third party account access, from basic queries on your account to adding an Additional Card Holder if you require more help and support. Alternatively you can write to us via the address below. Please note that third party authority is only available for credit cards.
Who third party authority is suitable for
It may be suitable if you need help managing your finances in the short term, for example:
- During periods of illness, or if you have recurring mental health problems
- You’re going abroad for up to a year
- You’re going to university
- You’re going into hospital
It’s not suitable if you need long term help managing your finances, for example:
- You want to set limits on transactions made by your third party
- You’re planning for a time in the future where you’ll no longer be able to make decisions about your finances
- You want your third party to have long term access or make changes to your accounts
Add an Additional Card Holder
Adding an Additional Card Holder might be a better option if you require further help and support managing your credit card account or you want the third party to have more visibility and ability that basic third party access does not allow. Please see the comparison below to help you find the right level of access required. You can add an Additional Card Holder over the phone when you call us via the number below.
Third party authority compared to Additional Card Holder
|
Ability |
A third party with Authority to Divulge |
Additional Card Holder with Authority to Divulge |
|---|---|---|
|
Make a payment |
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Check the statement balance |
|
|
|
Check the due date for payment |
|
|
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Check the minimum payment amount |
|
|
|
Get the current balance |
|
|
|
Discuss transactions on the account |
|
|
|
Changing account details |
|
|
|
Request a card for themselves |
|
|
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Report both cards as lost or stolen |
|
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Contact us by phone or write to us
Speak to our credit cards team
Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 6pm
Write to us via post
Freepost Tesco Bank, PO Box 27009, Glasgow G2 9EZ
Please include the name, date of birth, and contact number of the person you would like to nominate.
*This number may be included as part of any inclusive call minutes provided by your phone operator.
Help with third party authority
A third party authority is a short term agreement between you (the ‘donor’) and someone you trust (the ‘third party’). This could be a family member or close friend who can access your credit card and carry out agreed actions on your behalf.
- You can cancel the agreement whenever you like.
- A third party authority only lasts as long as both parties are alive and have mental capacity.
- A third party authority isn’t like a joint account – a third party can only help manage a donor’s account in the way they want them to. They will not have any legal claim to any money.
It’s only valid with us, so if you have accounts with other banks or building societies, you’ll need to set up a similar arrangement with them. If you need help with other things such as contacting utility providers or companies, other types of access, such as a power of attorney, may be more suitable.
As your third party will have access to your credit card, you’ll be responsible for any activity on your account, you should choose people you trust, such as family members or close friends.
If you no longer want them to be able to access your credit card, it’s important that you tell us immediately so we can remove them from your account.
Your chosen third parties do not have to bank with us, but we will need to keep a record of their details.
- They must be aged 18 or over.
- They need to have mental capacity – if either lose mental capacity the authority will no longer be valid and will be cancelled.
- You can change who acts as your third party by contacting us by phone or post.
The account holder or third party can cancel the third party authority at any time. Only one of you needs to do this. Either party can cancel it by phone or in writing.
Not the right level of access? Register a legal authority
If you need longer-term support with your finances, we can register a Power of Attorney (POA) or Court of Protection for you.