My husband's stepdad and mom took out four credit cards in his name and maxed them out and never paid a dime. We always pay cash for everything or used a credit card I had and didn't find out until 2 years later (this past summer) when we were buying a house. At that time his stepdad was dying of pancreatic cancer. We still confronted his mom about it and she said that she knew we had good jobs and could pay for the credit cards and they took them out to pay for their transmission, bills, etc. We told her if she would have asked us for help, we would have, but they didn't even tell us about the cards and now they've ruined my husbands credit! We settled with 2 companies, but still have two more. His stepdad died in October and she received an insurance settlement. When my husband asked if she would help us settle with the other 2 companies, she threw a fit and acted like we were trying to steal "her" money! Now we have decided to take legal action. What should we do first?
2007-01-28 08:21:03 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Wow! That must be stressful! I would get a lawyer Asap! When you call around for a lawyer, ask if they have dealt with identity theft before and what their prices are. I would cut all ties with the toxic in-laws...they sound selfish and greedy. Good Luck!
2007-01-28 10:00:05 · answer #1 · answered by steffers4979 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those credit cards should have never been given out by the credit card companies in the first place, its fraud and you need to see a lawyer to get out of the mess. They companies should be either stuck because they handled the applications shoddely and should therefore held responsible. On the other hand your mother in law is a real price and should pay you restitution for the credit you have already taken care off. See a lawyer and then give her a swift you know what and where and wash your hands of the b..!
2007-01-28 16:32:53 · answer #2 · answered by Mightymo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She needs to be in the big house or fraudulently taking out those cards, if the stepdad were alive, i would say he'd need to go to. What they did is a CRIME and they should be prosecuted for it. They had no right to ruin your credit. Good luck....hopefully you won't need an attorney, they cost an arm and a leg!
2007-01-28 17:58:41 · answer #3 · answered by rocketgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the amount is $5000. or less, take them to small claims court. If it is larger you will need a lawyer to sue them for ID theft and larceny.
2007-01-28 16:29:55 · answer #4 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to contact the credit company equifax or transunion and let them know they were fraud and you did not give permission for these accounts then they will investigate these charges and accounts you may have to press charges against the mother but they should remove them
2007-01-28 16:27:07 · answer #5 · answered by BlessedMommyof3.. 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sad story there.
sounds to me like you went about it the right way, if she wont take responsibility for the bills i think legal action is the right way to move.
might want to mention to her that it will come out that she is an ID thief
2007-01-28 16:28:56 · answer #6 · answered by chumpchange 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋