Can I clear up my credit without sending my Mother to jail?

Question

Yesterday as Im opening my mail, I find a credit card statement. but here's the thing I don't have any credit cards. I pick up the phone to call them and report fraud but after hearing the last five purchases, I put down the phone. I know my Mother shops at ever store that was on "my" credit card. I asked her when she came home is she put a credit card in my name. She said yes, to help me out while I was away at college. She was going to send it to me but some things came up so she used it. She was going to pay it back before I graduated and came home. But I've been home from college since May and the card is Maxed out, she has been paying on it, late. Is there a way I can get it off of my credit report without getting her into trouble? As mad as I am she is still my Mother.

Answer 1

Unfourtonatly, unless you are willing to press charges all you can do is put an adendum on your report stating what has happened. I am sorry to say that in this day and age that doesn't do very much...since all the creditor looks at is your score.

My brother did this in reverse (he used my mom's ssn and opend a card with himself as an authorized user). He racked up more than $10,000 in debt that he couldn't pay. The credit card company told her they would remove the item from her report if she furnished them with a police report pressing charges against him for identity theaft. She instead has spent years paying off his debt.

You need to make her realize how serious this is though. Identity theaft is a felony. And it doesn't matter if it is a family member.

Answer 2

You know the two options already. If you want this to be removed from your credit report, you will have to report to the issuing company that your mother committed fraud using your name. The law does not distinguish between relatives and non-relatives. If a stranger did this to you, I suspect you would be all over the credit card issuer for removal and clarification of your besmirched credit. If you want the same result here, you need to take the same actions.

Sorry for your problem with Mother.

Answer 3

Inform the credit card company and credit bureau of the fraud by relative and pay the balance right away. If you have an otherwise excellent credit history, things will go smoothly for you. They just want their money and are less concerned with prosecuting your mom.

Answer 4

I would call the credit card company and talk to them and see if there is anything they can do for you.
Probably not though, as it is fraud.

Answer 5

Its like syealing of the identity ,and the company takes it serious,but anyway it may,u talk to the company abt this clearly.