Bad credit by association

From New Hampshire

I have always had good credit but was just denied a home equity loan. Reason: A credit card outstanding that belonged to my husband's ex-wife. My husband and I spent a lot of time and money 2 years ago, paying off debt incurred by his ex-wife during their marriage in order for us to purchase our home. The only debt we did not pay was for a credit card that she had obtained by forging his name. The creditors say that my SS# is linked to my husband's who is linked to his ex-wife. My question is two-fold: 1 how do I get someone else's bad credit off my report; and 2 is there any way to force her to pay this debt?

Bad credit by association

Originally posted by mrslooch
From New Hampshire

I have always had good credit but was just denied a home equity loan. Reason: A credit card outstanding that belonged to my husband's ex-wife. My husband and I spent a lot of time and money 2 years ago, paying off debt incurred by his ex-wife during their marriage in order for us to purchase our home. The only debt we did not pay was for a credit card that she had obtained by forging his name. The creditors say that my SS# is linked to my husband's who is linked to his ex-wife. My question is two-fold: 1 how do I get someone else's bad credit off my report; and 2 is there any way to force her to pay this debt?

Bad credit by association

You say "the creditors." Are these the issuers of the credit report, or of the bad credit card?

Try writing to the credit report bureau that issued your credit report. (if you did not obtain one, get one off the Internet--the biggest used to be TRW...changed names, can't remember new name.)

Demand that her name not be linked to yours. You and your husband should have kept separate taxes, bank accounts, etc., in the beginning. (Despite this, I was supposed to live in a house bought by ex two years after we parted.

It is up to your husband to take action with the credit card company to disavow any of her debt. I hope a real lawyer jumps in here