My sister used my credit card without permission. Over 15,000. She is making monthly payments.?

Question

If I report the unauthorized charges to Chase what will they do to her? She is making the monthly payment, and plans to pay it all off. Will Chase still press charges against her if she is willing to pay for it?

Answer 1

The credit card company would have required you to report the card lost or stolen within 3 days of your sister's first charge, or to have reported erroneous charges with the first statement you got in order for YOU not to be liable for the charges.

Since time has elapsed, you mention your sister is making payments, then the credit card company would assume that you have an agreement with your sister and they would come after you if she stops the payments.

Filing criminal charges against her now doesn't mean that she would be forced to finish making payments. A judge could give her time and order a garnishment of wages, but people have fled such judgments successfully. It then becomes your problem all over again.

Since you and your sister have enough of a bond for her to be making payments and for you to have forgiven her, then I'd suggest that you make a contract with your sister to help ensure the timely payment of the debt. Collect all of the charge card statements, and copies of any checks your sister's sent in as payment. Then draw up a contract with her outlining a payment schedule and penalties in case of default. A good place to start with a contract would be here: http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/ObjectID/EED694E3-428A-4F45-8A60E8F43F99FA82/111/228/148/

Before signing the contract, or even presenting it to your sister, show it to a lawyer to make sure that both of your legal rights are still in tact and that the contract gives remedies for missed or late payments. The lawyer will also make sure that the contract will be considered a legal instrument within your state.

Why go this route? In the long run, if your sister ever stopped making payments, it makes it less costly for you to get a judgment against her in court. She's already making payments and is proving that the debt is hers in the eyes of the law, but with the contract it gives both of you a timetable for when the debt is paid off. And it will keep her from telling you years from now that she can only pay $50 this month, could you make up the rest of the minimum payment?

Good luck with this. It's a tough spot to be in.

Answer 2

They'd most likely prosecute her, or at least recommend that you report it to legal authorities. Only you can decide whether you're willing to do that.

I know it's your sister, but how fast is she going to be able to pay it off? If she's paying a couple hundred dollars a month, that would only cover interest and not make much of a dent, if any, in the $15,000. You do understand that, if at some point she stops paying and you didn't report it, YOU will be responsible.

What she did was theft. The fact that she stole from her sister doesn't make it better than if it had been a stranger.

Answer 3

Yes-what she did was theft and fraud. With all of the identity theft issues happening right now, they will not let this slide-and shouldn't. Your sister has a lot of nerve putting you in this position-I hope the 15K was for a serious emergency. Just so you know, your credit score will always be seriously affected by this 15k if it used over 70% of your available credit. If you have less than 30% available credit left, your credit is dinged every month. And, by making minimum payments, this won't be paid off for years and years-could be up to 20. Do you want to drag this on for that long? Make her take out personal loans, sell her items, whatever it takes to pay you off asap. Get agreements in writing. She could flake on you and you'll be stuck holding the bag-and Chase isn't a very nice company if you don't pay them!

Answer 4

She is a felon, so why shouldn't they? Why are you so calm to have such a nasty crook for a sister? Who cares if she is making all the payments? Were you ever planning on buying a new car or house or anything else in your future? Your debt to income ratio is going to be screwed forever as your crook sister makes the minumum payment until she gets tired of paying that and then stops. Don't under estimate what she will do in thr future, she already screwed you once she will do it again if you let her get away with this. Your choice though. Blood isn't thicker than water in your family. Reality check time!!

Answer 5

If your sister used your credit card without permission for over $15,000.00 I don't think she can be trusted. I would write up a contract stating how much she will pay per month until the debt is paid, have her and you sign it and then notarized.

If she defaults, take her to court.

Unless she makes huge payments she will be paying for years as the interest accumulates.

You have to make the decision of whether to report the charges to chase.

Answer 6

Do you know how long 15,000 will take to pay off? How much is she paying per month? Unless it's a large amount this is going to take her like 10 years. What if she decides to stop? It's not like she trustworthy. You are supposed to report unauthorised charges immediately and I would do just that. You don't have to say that it was her. It's your credit, your life, your stress.

Answer 7

I would get a statement from her about what she did, that it is her debt and get it to a lawyer. Have her swear it. Just in case she doesn't make the payment.

If you are going to tell Chase, talk to a lawyer first. I don't know if you could be held responsible because you delayed and allowed her to make payments.

If you had reported as soon as you noticed the charges, Chase would have taking the charges off your card. And they would have gone after her for theft, they may still but talk to a lawyer and protect yourself.

Answer 8

Chase will not press charges, you will have to file a police report and then send a copy to Chase and they will remove the charges from your account.

Under Federal law you are only liable for $50.00 if you are the victim of credit card fraud.

Any charges will have to be filed by you and the local district attorney.

Answer 9

If you are looking to absolve yourself of liability for this debt, you will need to report her to Chase, who will most probably pursue criminal charges of theft by fraud or similar. If you remain quiet, as you seem to want to, the debt will remain your responsibility, and you can only hope your sister will pay it off.

Were I you, I would report her to insure that YOUR credit remains solid and unblemished, and as a lesson to her concerning the repercussions and consequences of such a dishonest act.

Answer 10

First of all, sister or no sister this is identity theft and fraud. If she is willing to do this to you, then she is wiling to do this to anyone. Second if she is late, or stops paying, without a police report, you are responcible. Your credit will be ruined.