Credit card fraud commited by my ex-husband...?

Question

My ex-husband opened up at least two joint bank accounts that I never knew about, while we were separated. After racked up credit cards, he had his name removed off the account, claiming it was hurting his credit. So, we were officially divorced 2 weeks ago, and I'm left with the open accounts that I had nothing to do with.

I called the police because the fraud department told me I should make a police statment, and they wouldn't help... they just told me to get an attourney. HELP!

Our divorce was non-contested, I have never had a lawyer.

Answer 1

1- If he opened an account as a join account, he can't easily remove his name and let you get stuck with it. Credit card company requires co-app and primary cardholder both have an agreement to remove one of the co-app name. Credit card company will not remove one name without the other person on the account agreed. They will not stuck with the bill since legally, both of you guys are financially responsible.
2- If he open an account with you as a primary cardholder and he's an authorize user, they have to contact you to make sure you're the one who opened the account. If he's an authorized user, he's not responsible for the account.
3- Check with credit card companies and ask them to send the original application to you if your name is on it. If he fraudulently opened the account, he can end up in jail for identity theft.
4- Police dept has other major issues like murders to deal with, they won't deal with identity theft. Credit card company will deal with it with you. CONTACT THEM INSTEAD.
5- To prevent it happens in the future, buy privacy assist. PA is a program that monitors your credit report for you in case someone opens an account under your name. It will notify you and help you to clear your name. ID theft is a huge issue in this country and most victim have to take care it themselves and it can take 6-7 years to clear your name. Fee will apply if you buy privacy assist. It costs $12.99 a month.

Sorry for someone who gave me a thumb down. However, I work for a major credit card company and this is how credit card handles this kind of situation. They'll be fooled if they think that they can take their name off of the account anytime they wanted . In your case, you must be a primary cardholder and he's an authorized user, otherwise, he won't be able to take his name off. Or perhaps you didn't tell us the whole story.

Answer 2

You need to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission. Also keep calling the police, they are required to take a report tell them if they do not you will be calling your local Representatives to handle the situation. You also need to contact the credit card companies and let them know you are a victim of fraud. Ask them what steps you need to take to clear up the matter. If you have joint bank accounts he illegally opened go to the bank and tell them you are a victim of fraud. DO NOT PAY OFF THE ACCOUNTS OR OFFER SETTLEMENT. This is an automatic admission of guilt. You also need to contact all three credit reporting agencies and tell them you are a victim of identy theft. Stay on the issue, the companies want you to walk away and just pay them.

www.privacyrights.org and www.safecu.org will help answer a lot of your questions

Answer 3

You definately should file a police report as soon as possible.

Take copies of the police report to the banks he opened the accounts with and speak with a manager.
Request that the banks give you a written statement that they have received the police reports and acknowledge the fact that the accounts were opened without "your" signature or your knowledge.

Keep the police report and those statements safe for years to come.

The banks might do what the police won't. Among other things they may file a complaint against your ex with your AG.and possibly file charges against your ex for fraud.

The quicker you file a police report the better.

It may eventually come down to where you need an attorney, but you may never need to if the banks handle it correctly.

Answer 4

Contact the businesses where he used your name and ask to see the applications. At that point, present your driver's license to prove it's not your signature and ask why they accepted a fraudulent application and why he was allowed to take his name off the accounts without your legal approval. I bet they'll change their tune.

When did you become aware of these debts? If it was before your divorce was final then you should have had that info cleared up before signing, to have the decree show him as being responsible for paying for them. If you found out after the divorce, then he not only forged your info to obtain the accounts but witheld info from the divorce lawyers and from whatever judge you used, which is contempt of court. Either way, call your divorce lawyer about why this issue wasn't addressed before he/she had you sign the divorce papers.

Answer 5

You would need some serious proof that you didn't open any accts or credit cards. You will need to get an attorney and get copies of the signatures. Talk to the banks he opened joint accounts with. If they opened an account without you signing papers you can get them for breaking the law.

Get proof on where you were living, what bank accounts you had. Compare signatures.. everything. I mean, that screwed up on how he did you, but in order to get him for anything you are going to need a lot of proof.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

First thing is to get your free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com or call Trans Union @ 1 877 322 8228 for all 3 reports. After you review your credit reports and the fraud accounts are on it, dispute it. They have 30 days to report. Also have it put on Fraud Alert @ 1 800 680 7289.

Answer 7

Well, well, if he opened them up while you were married, they were joint debts. You divorce lawyers should have addressed this issue during your divorce procedings. Did you not check your credit before you went to court?