My friend had her credit and debit cards stolen back in March and was cleaned out in the day or so it took her to realize. Now the bank won't give her her money back (even though she filed a police report and they have the theif in camera using her cards), and her credit is all screwed up. She went from perfect credit to horrible within weeks due to this. She's even considering bankruptcy at this point because it is all so messed up. Any suggestions?
2007-05-15 06:35:25 · 13 answers · asked by Monica 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
Just keep whining.
2007-05-15 06:37:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
I wouldn't file for bankruptcy just yet, while she may have no other alternative, at least try the proper channels first.
Try asking the bank one last time, in person, but talk only with the branch's manager. If your friend still gets no relief there, then she should try talking to an attorney, not about bankruptcy, but about help with getting the bank to do what they are supposed to. It takes a lot of work to come back from identity theft, and a lot of people spend 10 years and more trying to clear their names.
However, bankruptcy is a last resort option because it looks just as bad, if not worse, on your credit than identity theft. It is also an expensive process.
Your state's attorney general's office will have lots of helpful information, and in your case with all of the evidence you have that the identity theft actually occured (it's often used as a 'get out of jail free' card lately), the attorney general might even be able to persuade the bank to help.
2007-05-15 06:44:40 · answer #2 · answered by Christi_79 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is odd. I had my debit card stolen and my money was back in there within 24 hours of me reporting it stolen. I would take them to court which takes money and unfortunately for your friend her finances seem to be in shambles. A good attorney will work with your friend and maybe scare the bank into doing the right thing.
2007-05-15 06:40:15 · answer #3 · answered by Happy 2B Nappy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a job for the feds ! Call it bloated bureaucracy, but the U.S. government has hundreds of information pages on all subjects which they make available online for reading or printing out, or will mail to you. It's all totally readable, helpful, and from a reliable source.
For credit-related problems, go to the Federal Trade Commission web site. There is much consumer information to be found there, including these comforting words:
"By law, once you report the theft, you have no further responsibility for unauthorized charges. In any event, your maximum liability under federal law is $50 per card."
Go to www.ftc.gov and roll your mouse onto "Consumer Protection" in the bar across the top. Then click on "Consumer Information" or on "Resources." On the Consumer Information page you will find a list of "Consumer Categories" including "Credit and Loans" and "ID Theft, Privacy and Security." On the "Resources" page, there is a list of "Resource Categories;" see "Guidance Documents" on Credit.
Best of luck to your friend.
MelissaKD
2007-05-15 07:07:21 · answer #4 · answered by melissakd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if no one told the bank her cards were stolen so they could cut off all cards how it is their responsibility to pay money to her? debit cards have pins number. how did thief get pins number to use the card?
if she fills out fraud affidavit she should not have any effect on credit.
sometimes credit card agreement will cover loss before reporting or limit loss to a low amount maybe $50 but if you dont report card as lost or stolen it is not their problem. she should look at agreement and go to see a lawyer.
2007-05-15 06:47:05 · answer #5 · answered by WishICouldTellU 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a company called Pre-Paid Legal. I used to have a license to do this sort of thing. The best thing to do is call or ask around BIG businesses and see if they know someone who does Pre-paid Legal. It is $ 13.00 for Identity theft and there are a lot of benefits to using this. I can try to hunt up a phone number for you if you would like.
2007-05-15 06:47:36 · answer #6 · answered by K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the credit card companies should give her money back that she didn't spend. mine did when someone stole my card number. the bank has FDIC, but that's for if the bank is robbed. (FCC is for radio and tv)
2007-05-15 06:41:32 · answer #7 · answered by wendy_da_goodlil_witch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your attorney general.
2007-05-15 06:45:02 · answer #8 · answered by Xiomy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hire a lawyer.
2007-05-15 06:37:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
find the guy who took the cards and beat his ***!
2007-05-15 06:37:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes but i dont no the names
2007-05-15 06:38:18 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋