Should I Prosecute My mom for Identity Theft?

Question

My mother has committed identity fraud against me about 6 times now, knowing that I am still young, trying to graduate from college, and barely make any money. Yesterday I found out for the 6th time. I have been trying to forgive her and I excused the first 5 times and paid the bills off, but I am getting so angry and frustrated over this! She is such a scam artist and a huge liar. When I confronted her, she acted like I was the crazy one and I shouldn't be mad! ----------I'm getting to the point where I just want to prosecute her because she just thinks I'll pay this one off and excuse it again. I don't think so!! What do you think I should do???

Thanks soooo much everyone! You all have been so very helpful!

Answer 1

Sounds like she needs psychological help.

Answer 2

To be honest, the choice of jail or probation is not up to you. You seem to think you have a lot more power than you actually do. And if you caught it in the beginning, all she may get is a few hours of community service. I think the deciding factor for me would be what kind of a person she was before this happened and more importantly, why she did it. If she had been in some sort of desperate circumstance, I would try to find it in my heart to forgive her and forget about it. If she is just a thief who looks for every opportunity to scam someone, I would cooperate with prosecuting her. I wouldn't count on your brother paying you back if he isn't even speaking to you at this point.

Answer 3

She obviously has a problem and isn't very concerned with your future life of establishing good credit, or your relationship. What do you think is going to stop it because the confronting clearly isn't working. It is only a matter of time before the 7th time happens. I know it's hard, but it doesn't mean you don't love her. But that doesn't excuse her for taking advantage of you. And even if she stops stealing your identity, it seems like she would just use another innocent person's identity. She has been getting away with it and has no reason to stop, so do yourself a favor and be proactive before you end up declaring bankruptcy.

Answer 4

Prosecute her. It looks as if that is the only way she will get the message that it is no longer okay to ruin your life. Some people have to learn the hard way that they can't continually take advantage of people, especially relatives who let it slide because of some misguided notion that it is different if it is a relative! If she will do this to her own daughter, what would she do to a stranger? Take her to court and send her to jail. Make sure you have all your proof lined up. Why would you forgive a liar and a cheat? It doesn't matter that it is your mom.
I hope you do this.

Answer 5

wow hard choice. When its your parents. My parents toatlly rely on me, drives me nuts. I should be on with my life but I am here paying their bills. I dont mind helping but, they throw it on me. And make me feel bad.
Id say prosceute. Your mom knows you wont do a thing so she is going to keep doing it.
How is that going to help you - when you are married and have kids or at the top of your career and lose everything because she cant step up for her actions?
She is an adult, somehow they raised you right?
Did they steal somebody elses identity to take care of you? Im sure they didnt and she doesnt need anymore help now than what she needed raising you.
Change things get a po box, ssn and the new number on your drivers license. How does she get this info anyways? Keep a check on your credit reports.
She will ruin your life. Your future. Will you ever have a home of your own or a car? Or what happens when your kid is sick and you need a loan to get money? You cant because of hre.

Love your mom sure, but dont let her use you.

Answer 6

File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Then, get a copy of the police report or at the very least, the number of the report. It can help you deal with creditors who need proof of the crime. If the police are reluctant to take your report, ask to file a "Miscellaneous Incidents" report, or try another jurisdiction, like your state police. You also can check with your state Attorney General's office to find out if state law requires the police to take reports for identity theft. Check the Blue Pages of your telephone directory for the phone number or check www.naag.org for a list of state Attorneys General

Answer 7

Yes you should go to the authorities with this...., Look at it this way,,,, if your mom killed someone in cold blooded murder , would you say nothing and just be a silent accessory, or would you turn her in? The same question can be asked here,,,, will you just let her get away with ruining someones credit and future and running it into disaster, OR will you turn her in and try to get some help for HER, and stop all the wrong that is being done against you! only YOU can answer that.
Good Luck. I would turn her in,,, but that's up to you... Hard one!

Answer 8

I would take all evidence of the 6 times she has done this to you to a lawyer for a consultation. I would also bring in the records of you paying off the first 5 and the average length of time it took you.

Answer 9

I would say prosecute since it has continued to happen.

You should at the very least alert the credit reporting companies of a fraud alert. This way no loans or credit card accounts will be opened to your name without them actually calling you to verify them. And if anything is processed, you can dispute the items because you alerted them first. This is to protect you and your credit rating.

Answer 10

sounds like you tried the first step of persecution, time to move on to prosecution, or find a way to avoid the process like using a pin number and then by reporting that someone charged things and not saying it was her, but if when they ask you did you leave your card out or any of those many and you say yes then they will just figure it is your problem. Do say yeah momn when she walks in though cuz youz spose to honr her, which does not mean let her do stuff that is bad for her.

Answer 11

Call the community affairs department in the police station and explain what she is doing. Make them give you some answers (because sometimes they are lazy) Your mom is taking advantage of her power over you. She is hostile, jealous and passive aggressive.

Don't get angry with her. It won't help. Just protect yourself and get out of there. Get a secret bank account, a PO box and and never let her have the key. Never let her see your mail again.