<prompt> Human: Edit: thank you all very much for your input. I learned that I will not be responsible for the debt of something happens to my mother, it only helps my credit report in its current state but I may need to remove myself when I buy a house, and that most of it really could be business expenses that she would be reimbursed for. Thanks again! This is a HUGE relief.I checked my credit report recently and saw that my mother owes over 22k on her American Express. There are no past dues on the account.Its on my credit report because she gave me an Amex card thats linked to her account Im an authorized user in case of emergencies as soon as I went off to college. I had absolutely no idea that it would actually be linked to me, as I havent signed any papers on it.Ive had to use it once or twice since then Im 31 now, but I always paid her back in cash before the end of the month. Maybe used a total of 500, all repaid.I didnt realize this was on my credit report. I also had absolutely no idea that she owes that much. I know that she uses it for work expenses and is reimbursed quarterly she travels across the country two times a week, so she uses it for plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, etc but theres no way thats all due to work expenses, particularly since she would have been reimbursed in April.I have some of my own debt- student loans and one credit card that I owe about 1000.00 on, but it is all in good standing. My credit score is about 730.The problem, naturally, is that I know that even if its current, having a large amount on the credit report can be seen as a negative.I am hoping to start the process of buying a house next year, so I need to figure out what to do.So my questions are:Is there a distinction on my credit report showing that Im not the actual account holder?If I have her take me off the account as an authorized user, how will that look on my credit report? Will it show it as a closed or cancelled debt?If something were to happen to my mother, would this debt become my responsibility if Im not taken off the account?Hoping for some advice. I have plans to talk to my mom about her ridiculous amount of debt, after I figure out what to do to protect myself. I should be able to send her 500 a month to at least help her with the bill.  <response>: Also, if shes reimbursed quarterly, it means she had April and May to rack up expenses. At two times a week, thats probably 16 trips. Figure at minimum a cross country trip is 1500. I doubt shes actually in any debt at all. 