Someone opened credit card with my address his name?

Question

A so called friend of mine has opened a credit card under my address with his name on it. Should I be worried about mail fraud or will this affect my credit? He has only been in the usa for a few years. Maybe illegally? What should I do? Any legal action???

He did it without our permission. And said it was just a joke the first time we recived mail with his name on it now today we recived two credit card in his name with a $7000. limit.

Two months ago we received a credit card application with "His " name on it and our address. He is only an aquanitance We yelled at him I told him not to do it again. We don't even know him personally, we met him in monthly gathering, he ia always strange and never answers any questions about where he lives etc. HAS HE BROKEN ANY LAW???

Answer 1

It's called Identity Theft, unless you gave him permission to use your address. There is the risk that he can leave the bills, and the bill collectors at your address. If he is your "so called friend" and you are worried about it then you need to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Unless you tell the credit reporting agencies what the real situation is it could affect your credit rating. The companies will assume that he lives with you. If he misses a payment then the bill collectors will start calling you. The credit reporting agencies could also assume that this person is your "life partner" and he shares your credit. Therefore, you will be held responsible for his bill, unless you can prove that you are not (like the fact that he doesn't live at your address and hasn't for X amount of time).

Call the three credit reporting bureaus' fraud lines to report the misuse and place a fraud alert in your file. By federal law, a victim is entitled to a free credit report (you may have to provide them copies of the police report or the FTC report). The fraud numbers are:

- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 www.equifax.com
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com
P.O. Box 9532, Allen, Texas 75013
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289 www.transunion.com
- Fraud Victim Assistance Division,
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

For Credit Card Fraud:
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by using the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline by telephone: [phone], online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or by mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20580.
1. Contact the Fraud Department of one of the major 3 Credit Reporting Bureaus.
2. Close accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
3. File a police report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
4. Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-438-4338 or online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft

This is general advice for anyone who has problems with their credit or thinks that the might have problems. You should at least tell your credit card companies, and the credit reporting agencies what he is doing. If he is not living with you then what he has done is illegal and credit fraud (along with mail fraud and if his is living outside of your state then it is a matter the FBI can get involved in). If you know which credit card company he is dealing with you can report him and probably get his line of credit cut. But, he might just reapply to another company.

I can see why he used your address; he is trying to show that he is not a credit risk. However, if he doesn't live with you then he is breaking the law and you should report that. If he is an illegal alien then your report should include that suspicion. If you push this case (if that is what you want to do) then you could get him in deep trouble, especially if he is from the Middle East or Mexico.

IF I WERE YOU I WOULD REPORT HIM to the FTC, then to the credit reporting agencies, and then his credit card company. I would also make sure my bank, my credit card companies' and anyone I was conducting financial dealings with would know as well, so it won't hurt your standing. If he is using your address then the bills should show up at your home, but he can do his banking online and receive his bills at his email address. Watch your mail for anything addressed to him and open it. Then contact that company and tell them that this person doesn't live at your address, he is committing fraud, you have reported him and you need them to report him as well so you can build a case against him.
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I just read your additonal details, YES he has committed a crime, if the credit card company is outside of the state where he lives then it is a federal crime. You should also talk with the Post Office and tell them you are filing a case against him for mail fraud and ask them to investigate it. You should call the local police and file a report with them. Tell them that you need to prove that he doesn't live there and a simple inspection of your home will prove that. I think he is in the early stages of setting you up for credit card fraud, I am sure the FTC will want to know about this as well. In these times you can't be too carefull with your credit rating. If he makes creditors think he is living at your place then you are already responsible for $14,000 of credit.

Answer 2

If he is your friend, then he should be concerned about causing you any sense of alarm. Outrightly ask him not to use your address on credit applications as you are not comfortable with the idea. If he agrees, then maybe he is a friend. If not, then contact the credit card company by return mail and notify them that this "friend" does not live at your residence. Let them deal with the applicant. If he runs up a bill then you are not liable. Just keep a copy of the correspondence to the card company. And you'll be in the clear.

Answer 3

Take a BIG BREATH! You are going to be fine. They will investigate. The charges will be removed from your account and your credit report. If you haven't already, call one of the major credit reporting agencies and file a fraud report. That company will send it to the other two so you will be covered. Expect the process to take six months to all unwind completely. If you need credit in the meantime, expect the process to take a little longer. If you can wait until it has cleared to borrow, all the better. Do not under any circumstances pay a penny to this creditor or it may give them rights to collect from you even though it is not your bill.

Answer 4

Not to worry... if the issue is receiving & being responsible for his mail, then there is a problem... however, the problem is that if he fails to make payments... you could potentially be brought into litigation for knowingly letting him use your address. If he just needs to establish "credit" tell him he has a posted time limit in which to "change over his card" once he has made a ffew payments to the card company, they will be less apt to recind his card for a simple "change of address."

Answer 5

Address is just a place to stay, like renting house...or apartment...it doesn't mean anything...they may look at you and him as a roommate....as long as it all in his name...don't worry about that....if he don't pay for those credit card...and if he moved out, all the bills they send to you...just trash them...nothing attach to you....OK
Be happy.

Answer 6

Check your credit report to make sure you dont see anything suspcious, if there isnt you should be good, he wont get his bill, wont pay it and end up being the one who gets jacked

Answer 7

Close it immediately, report it to the credit bureaus, get it taken care of ASAP.

Answer 8

it depends on if he used your ssn. i would check my credit report to make sure there is nothing weird on there

Answer 9

Shouldn't matter as long as it's in his name and ID...