SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cosign-means-you-owe

You co-sign a friend's loan, and they stop paying. How much could you owe?

Up to the full amount, plus late fees or collection costs.

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The Just Right card

Too littleSign without reading, it's just a favor
Too muchNever help anyone with anything
Just rightCo-sign only what you could pay yourself

Huh, didn't know that: The lender can report the loan to the credit bureaus as your debt too.

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A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove you don't need it.
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References

Answer: Up to the full amount of the debt. Co-signing means promising to pay if they don't. The lender can ask you for all of it, plus late fees, and missed payments can land on your credit record.

  1. FTC: Cosigning a Loan FAQs consumer.ftc.gov/articles/cosigning-loan-faqs
    You may have to pay up to the full amount of the debt if the borrower does not pay.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. FTC: Cosigning a Loan FAQs (fees) consumer.ftc.gov/articles/cosigning-loan-faqs
    You may also have to pay late fees or collection costs, which increase this amount.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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That's stuff everyone should know.