A family member asked me to join on to their account as an authorized shopper to assist them with their errands and shopping needs. Now years later, their credit card bill is in default and the credit card company is attacking me. Is this legal? What should I do, or what can I do?
2007-10-21 19:11:21 · 5 answers · asked by shar_shar_binks 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
If you are only an Authorized User then you are not legally responsible for the charges. Now, if you actually became a Joint Card Holder then yes you are both equally responsible for the charges. If you did not sign anything, then you were most likely added as just an AU. If you did sign something, you are probably a Joint Accont Holder.
Now, the question is who exactly is "attacking" you. Since you said it is years later it is probably a Collection Agency. If it is a collection agency they need to follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act(FDCPA). So you must send them a certified letter stating that they need to provide proof that you are legally responsible for the debt. This includes any documents you have signed. If they can not provide this then they must stop collection activities against you.
2007-10-21 19:34:45 · answer #1 · answered by OC1999 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"Authorized shopper"???? Most lkely, you signed on as a joint holder of the credit card. You had to sign for purchases and the signature had to match one on the card, yes?
If you are a joint card holder, you're responsible to the card company for all the money owed on the account although you can try to get redress from the family member who sucked you into this deal.
2007-10-21 19:34:52 · answer #2 · answered by LucaPacioli1492 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Have you signed in any papers that your friend / relative gave you? If so take a look at those papers.
2. Ideally you are not responsible for some one else credit card when you are only using it. Especialyl if it is a photo credit card, then u r only using the card for shopping. so u dont have to worry about it.
3. you cana lways turn back to your family member and question him about wats happening.
2007-10-21 19:26:27 · answer #3 · answered by candy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OC is correct, as an authorized user, and not a "joint account" user, you are not responsible. Inform the collection agency of this and make sure they don't put this on your credit reports.
2007-10-22 06:16:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
im not sure but i dont think so. as far as i know it is their account and you're just a user. You didnt have to sign anything and your signature is not on anything so NO. you're fine.You dont have an agreement with any one.
2007-10-21 19:18:29 · answer #5 · answered by GG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋