Am I responsible for an account my parents opened in my name when I was a minor?

Question

This actually happened to my husband. His parents opened a telephone account using his SSN and name when he was only 16. Now a collection agency is coming after him 9 years after the account was closed for money still owed. Is he responsible for this? What should we do?

Answer 1

nope, he is NOT responsible for the debt his parents clearly did... and its called ID THEFT. some parents do it to their kids and screw up thier credit reports for years.

and ya know what? thats just ONE that they did, there is probably more. only way to tell is to run a credit report (they are free, so relax). dont pay for a company to run it for you, you do it yourself via the telephone, in writing or online directly with the 3 major credit reporting agencies.

then get someone to help you read them. if they did more, you will need to report it and send the report to the credit agencies (and collection agencies) to verify it was NOT him who opened that account.

act now...



1) run a free credit report from each agency (your allowed one free one per year, per agency). you need to know, so you need to get them.
2) if ID Theft has occured, you need to make a police report first. the rest of what you need to do, is listed in the links below (with GREAT info too).
3) some states allow you to 'lock' or 'freeze' credit reports; to protect against theft. if your state allows it, lock 'em down. that way, no one can open an account on them.
4) once you discover their credit reports have activity on them, then contact each credit reporting agency (the 3 major ones) and report the ID Theft... and request they lock the reports (usually they automatically do it, but ask for it anyway).

ID THEFT HELP/ INFO
http://www.idtheftcenter.org/index.shtml
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/index.html
http://www.fraudguides.com/consumer-identity-theft-children.asp
http://www.ripoffreport.com/
http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/
http://www.ncpc.org/media/current.php
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/widtpubl$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU03
http://www.myidfix.com/

CREDIT REPORT INFO / REPAIRS / DISPUTES
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre21.htm
http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/starting/archive/2007/st0221.htm
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20040116b1.asp
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/helpfaq
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/forms/credit-report-error-fix.asp
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bankruptcy/20070313_credit_report_stains_a1.asp
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/forms/credit-report-error-fix.txt
http://bankrate.com/
http://www.occ.treas.gov/customer.htm

TO ORDER A FREE CREDIT REPORT
(all three are free once a year)

Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
www.equifax.com
1-800-685-1111
_______________
Experian
P.O. Box 19719
Irvine, CA 92623
www.experian.com
1-888-397-3742
_______________
TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022
www.transunion.com
1-800-916-8800

Answer 2

I wouldn't think so! Merely from the fact that the account is over seven years old, not to mention he was a minor at the time and could not even legally enter into any type of contract?

If it's being reported on his credit then he needs to dispute it as an old account. If it's keeping him from getting a phone from the same company that holds the debt then he might have to pay it. But only to the originating company that the debt is due.

If the collection agency calls again they need to be informed that this account is to old to collect on that they are barking up the wrong tree. They also need to be told to stop calling you and you should go ahead and get there address so that you can send them a letter stating just these facts.

I have also included a link which you might find helpful. Good luck to the both of you and take care.

Answer 3

There are several things he can do. First is to speak with the telephone company and let them know that the account was opened by his parents when he was only 16. He will need to show proof that he does not have access to the account and that the bills generated were not by him. Technically speaking, the telephone company can't come to your husband and ask for payments when the amount owed has lapsed after 9 years. Legal year for claims is within 7 years.

Answer 4

I really don't think he would be. First he is a victim of identity theft. Second, this was a contract entered into when he was a minor. It will not hold up in court. Have a lawyer draft a letter to the collection agency and the phone company and let them know what has happened and then see what happens. You really have nothing left to lose.

Answer 5

You are a sufferer of identification robbery. You have got to dossier a police document A.S.A.P. and touch all 3 credit score bureaus. What you mom has performed is financial institution fraud simple and sensible. After you might have performed those 2 matters get in touch along with your States Attorney Generals workplace they're going to support you. The handiest approach you're ever going to get this no longer handiest cleared up however stopped is to dossier fees on you mother.

Answer 6

at the time he was a minor and could not enter into a contract - however they will not just dismiss the bill - the only way to get rid of it is to pay it - or to file changes against his parents for identity theft - which is what they did when they used his name - pay it will still leave it on his credit - filing charges will likley end his relationship with his family - there is no good solution

Answer 7

I would not think so. He was a minor at the time and not able to enter in to a contract.

Answer 8

Unforunately yes, I had that done to me, in order for him to clear his name is to pay for it, then sue his parents for the money back, He may want to check with the other utilities also, if they did it with 1, they will do it others too.