Help with legal action for identity theft against parents?

Question

long story but in the end i need to know how to obtain pretty cheap real-legal advise (live in texas). my parents took my old credit cards and racked them up and didn't pay and now i'm being hounded by creditors and my credit, which was perfect, is horrible now. parents are VERY poor already with 6 siblings still living with them and i don't want anything bad to happen to the kids because of my parents' stupid decisions. any ideas? i dont think suing would be the best idea because i'd never get the money since they don't have any.

Answer 1

Here is your reality check:

What your parents did is a crime.

If you do not go and file a police report and have them prosecuted, which would probably mean jail time, your creditors are not going to let you off the hook at all.

So, if you want to "protect" your siblings, my suggestion is to go and take a 2nd or 3rd job and start paying.

Keep in mind that by not prosecuting them you are setting your siblings up. They will think it is ok to steal from family & more than likely they will be your parents future victims.

Sorry your parents are so worthless and did this to you.

Good luck

Answer 2

You should be able to get a legal aid lawyer to help you if you dont have the money to pay for legal services. You need to call the credit card companies and cancel the accounts. In order to get your credit repaired, you will have to make a police report or you will still be liable for all the charges. I know that you dont want to do anything that might affect the children still at home but what your parents did was fraud and theft. With the police report you will not be held liable for the charges that you didnt make but your parent will be prosecuted. If its a first offense they most likely will be given probation and asked to make restitution at some small amount each month. While it is painful, they need to be held responsible for their actions.

Answer 3

Here's a government site on what to do when a victim of identity theft:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/defend.html

I understand your desire to look out for your siblings, BUT they're not going to be properly taken care of by your parents if they're that kind of con and will abuse you financially like that. There are options for the kids and it would be on your parents, not you, because you're not the one with a lack of morals. (IF they had a legit need they could have turned to you for help--not necessarily money--but help finding what they needed to do to keep the family afloat. Theft is NOT a legitimate occupation and it's a bad example for your siblings.)

As to additional legal advice, TYPICALLY if you contact your local bar association they'll have a referral program where they send you to an appropirate attorney for a half-hour consultation for around $50. That's a good starting point.

I'm sorry this happened to you, but it's a symptom of a deeper character problem that they have, so protecting them to "protect" your siblings is not going to work.

Answer 4

The first thing you should is to get your free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com or call them toll free@1-877-322-8228 and request all 3 reports. Once you receive the reports, call the companies and advised them that you are not aware of the charges and you will sign an affidavit of fraud. If they ask if you know who used the cards, just say no. I would also put the account of Fraud Alert. Their # is 1-800-680-7289

Answer 5

Pre Paid Legal

Our stand alone Identity theft and Pre Paid Life Events Plan is $26.95 Per month plus $10 1 time fee

Legal Consultation-
Identity Theft Shield - To prevent it from happening again
plus more....
Most lawyers cost between $150 and $200 per hour

You can pay a whole year for less than 2 hours.

Let me know if I can help, or you need more information.

Answer 6

call the state bar for lawyers in your area, then call the lawyers and see if they give a free initial consultation and see what they can tell you.