i found out my ex wifes phone and other utilities are in my name, we have been divorced for several years. what do i do.
2007-02-14 00:54:10 · 24 answers · asked by AJBLCMA 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
If it's in your name, call, advise them fraud has been comitted, and as they are in your name, cancel them.
2007-02-14 00:58:38 · answer #1 · answered by wizjp 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It would depend on your relationship with her now and the status of those utilities, but first thing to do is contact the companies and find out the status of the accounts (are they paid current). If not, you may want to tell the the situation now and ask them to shut off the service now. I would not ask them for advice as it is not their place and you are likely to be misinformed anyway.
If they are current, and depending on your current relationship with relationship with her now and whether or not you have children together, you may want to give her say, 30 days notice that she needs to get them moved to her name or if she wants to work out something esle with someone else (is she has bad credit or a prior outstanding debt she may need to have another relative put the utilities in their name or move to an apartment that includes the utilities), but you are going to have the service terminated after that date. If you are not on good terms, do so in writing with copies to both of the utilitiy companies (preferably both US and Certified Mail with Return Receipts to prove the letters were received by who and when, in case you end up in Court) and be sure to retain a copy for yourself.
Unless there is a high dollar amount involved, you will end up spending more on attorney fees than it is worth, but it might not be a bad idea to have a consulation AFTER you have done the research and legwork; if they do it, it will cost you $200-$600 an hour when you can do it yourself for free.
Unless there is anything in writing that she signed with your name you will not be able to prove "fraud" because she will just claim that the utility company made the mistake and it just wasn't worth the hassle to her to get it corrected and/or she never really pays any attention to those bills except what the payment amount is to be.
2007-02-14 01:11:24 · answer #2 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask your lawyer to write to the utility companies informing them of the date of your divorce and state plainly that you are not liable for those accounts. I would also copy your wife, and have the lawyer send a cover letter to her informing her of your knowledge of her activities. Depending on the laws in your state, she may be breaking several by putting things in your name.
Since you know about it, don't just let it go. If you do nothing, and people know that you know, then you will be held accountable for the accounts.
2007-02-14 01:40:32 · answer #3 · answered by sassybree1979 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the utility companies and alert them to the situation and go to the police and alert the credit bureaus
Bottom line: You are going to have to press charges for identity theft and get a lawyer. You also need copies of your divorce decree to fax to the utility companies and the other agencies mentioned.
2007-02-14 01:02:23 · answer #4 · answered by calmlikeatimebomb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the utility companies in writing and make them aware of the fact that you are divorced. Tell them she fradulently used your identity to open the accounts and you will not be responsible.
You may have to report her to the police in order to get the utility companies to take you seriously.
2007-02-14 00:59:36 · answer #5 · answered by fdm215 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to contact the utility company and you need to file a police report for identity theft.All you need is your divorce papers and your ex wife can be charged with identity theft & fraud you can also turn her into social security because she has obviously used your social security number..We went through the same situation with my husbands ex wife she had also gotten credit cards in his name we pressed chrages on her..Good Luck to you.
2007-02-14 01:37:31 · answer #6 · answered by Maureen B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the utilities and tell them what she has done, then cancel them all. Then sue her, what she did is against the law. She could have ruined your credit if she failed to pay on time or at all.
2007-02-14 01:03:16 · answer #7 · answered by kitkat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
call the utility companies and have them shut off, otherwise if you went through a nasty divorce she is likely to run up a bill you cant, or you wont wanna pay :)
2007-02-14 01:03:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call the utility companies and turn them off! Unless you gave her permission to do so, she can get in alot of trouble for what she did! All she needed was you SSN and full name to turn them on...Call the companies and tell them you want to close the accounts...To me, it's just like credit fraud, she used you SSN to benefit herself and she could end up screwing your credit in the process...if she wanted your help with things, she should have stayed with you...Call today and have them cut off!
2007-02-14 06:00:22 · answer #9 · answered by Tiffany O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple, call the company and tell them she did not have permissions to do so, they will disconnect the utilities or at least help you take it out of your name.... it is illegal to do what she is doing
2007-02-14 01:00:03 · answer #10 · answered by Kira 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can threaten to sue. This is illegal and you could turn her in to the utility companies. I would do what it takes to get it out of your name.
2007-02-14 01:04:39 · answer #11 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋