My sister-in-law has run up $70,000 in credit card debt. My brother can't stop her. She hides the bills or has them mailed to her place of employment. Their credit is ruined as she pays late. They've refinanced their home at least twice. My brother is about to give up hope as he works overtime and still can't get ahead. She denies she has a spending problem and accuses my brother of not earning enough. He sought debt counseling and took care of his own finances years ago. Is there a way he can get the credit card companies to stop allowing her to run up more charges? They're not divorced but sometimes I wish he would divorce her.
2007-03-09 08:30:03 · 9 answers · asked by Concerned1 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
very easy if she's just an authorize user he can take her name off of the card so she can't use it. if it's a joint account, have him call the card company and see what he can do about closing the account
2007-03-09 08:35:47 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should just cancel the cards. His credit is probably already ruined... but if he does cancel the cards, he won't be able to re-open them because his credit will be so bad.
If they are HIS accounts and she is just an authorized user, then he can switch account #s and get new cards and he can make it so she's not an authorized user anymore.
He should call each company and ask if he can change the account with just his name on it. They may do that if he tells them that his wife is running up the cards and he MAY NOT be able to pay if they don't stop it! Especially department store cards may do that because they're afraid of not getting paid!
Also, if he decides to close the accounts to keep her from charging on them, keep ONE major account open so that he will always have a charge card - once his credit is bad because of her, he may not be able to get a credit card for a loooong time! So he should close all the accounts and keep ONE open... but not tell her!
As long as he stays married to her, he is assuming her debt!
2007-03-09 08:37:03 · answer #2 · answered by calibamabum 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I called citi credit card and they told me that they will issue me another account number card with me as the only authorized user. What I found out you cannot do this online you must talk to customer service representative and be ready with your info. and your security word for the account. I wondered if my spouse could get ahold of the new card but the next time I get a new card just hide or lock it up with a key. I think that whereever I use it they give you a security code to use it from then on. I hope this helps others
2015-01-22 07:22:43 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is an authorized user, all he has to do is call the credit card companies and remove her authorization. If they are joint accounts he can still call and cancel the cards. His credit is most likely shot anyway and it looks like they are heading for divorce, so he needs to consult a lawyer about a divorce and bankruptcy.
2007-03-09 08:57:23 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your brother needs to realize that if they divorce, he will get stuck paying them anyway. And probably spousal support and child support too.
If their credit is ruined than maybe he just sit back and wait for the cookie to crumble, then file divorce and bankruptcy the same time.
Good luck to him.
2007-03-09 08:50:57 · answer #5 · answered by Gem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is really nothing he can do as long as she didn't sign his name to the credit card documents. The only thing he could do (which I would do) is divorce her. I believe either way his credit will be ruined.
2007-03-09 08:35:58 · answer #6 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are we related? You're not from Idaho, are you? ;) I have a brother who is dealing with this same exact issue.
If she's getting them in her name only, (like my sis in law is doing) then he can't do anything.
I suggested to my brother that he calls the companies and get his name flagged. If anyone tries to get a credit card in his name or as a joint, then they have to verify with him first.
It's more of a marriage issue that financial institutions won't touch.
My brother works hard too....7 days a week and my sis in law does the same thing. I want to wring her neck.
2007-03-09 08:43:23 · answer #7 · answered by Lisa S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, divorce may be the ONLY option.
If there are no laws...
of course, if he were to stop conjugal rights as a sample of divorce, if that's not already been done...
2007-03-09 08:38:04 · answer #8 · answered by starryeyed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
divorce!!!!!!!! hey if he can prove that she has a problem and she needs rehab a good lawyer can stick her with all that debt and he wont have to take half.
2007-03-09 16:05:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋