credit problems

What is the name of your state? michigan...i need help so badly,i was in a very abusive marriage, and my ex was a compulsive spender,before i escaped , i went into hiding, i cancelled all credit cards that were in both are names, i filed 4 divorce, and a few mths. before final, i receive a bill from Gardner White 4 furniture he purchased for over 2,000.00, mind you we were over 24,000.00 in debt. i called and told them i had cancelled card, and he managed to re-open, they sent me a dispute letter, which i sent back, did not make a copy of, but now it appears on my credit report from a colection agy. as a individual acct. and now they say bal. is over 4,000.00 . please help me, they would not even give me info on what he purchased,where it was delivered, or anything, please help me, i do not know what to do. thanks 4 listening......debi

[Ladynred]

Debi,

First, how old is this debt ? Has anything ever been paid on it ?

I would try disputing this with the Credit bureaus as 'not mine' and if they 'verify' it, I'd then ask for documentation on HOW they verified it, this is your right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If they cannot prove it, they must remove it and the CA must also get lost.

Go over to [url]www.creditinfocenter,[/url] there you will find sample letters you can use.

Just as a side note here, and mind you I'm NOT suggesting anything illegal here, but in your circumstances (the abuse, hiding, etc.) , you can get a new SSN. This is one of the very few circumstances where this is LEGAL and allowed. Here's an excerpt from the SSA page:

"New Numbers For Domestic Violence Victims And Others
Millions of people in all walks of life are victims of family violence. Many others are subject to harassment, abuse or life endangering situations in their daily lives. If you are such a victim, we can help you.

Public awareness campaigns stress the importance of victims developing safety plans that include gathering personal papers and choosing a safe place to go. Sometimes the best way to evade an abuser and reduce the risk of further violence may be to relocate and establish a new identity. Following these changes, it also may be helpful to get a new Social Security number.

Although we do not routinely assign new numbers, we will do so when evidence shows you are being harassed, abused or endangered. However, a new Social Security number alone cannot protect you, particularly if your original number did not play a role in the harassment, abuse or life endangerment."

Here's a link to the page:
[url]http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10093.html[/url]

Since your EX may still have some access to your SSN, you just might qualify for this. The credit side - you get a brand new credit file (legally). The only downside is that it will show no history and you'd have start all over building good credit.

Just a thought.....

[JETX]

A different response**************

"i cancelled all credit cards that were in both are names"
*** Did you do this in writing?? IF not, then the cards were likely NOT cancelled. And since they were joint cards, your husband would have the same rights as you to renew (re-open) them as you. Also, was there a balance on the account when you tried to close it?? If so, the creditor wouldn't 'close' the account.

"i filed 4 divorce, and a few mths. before final, i receive a bill from Gardner White 4 furniture he purchased for over 2,000.00"
*** Assuming that this purchase was made on one of the joint accounts, it was a valid MARITAL purchase since it was done prior to the divorce.

"i called and told them i had cancelled card, and he managed to re-open,"
*** Was the 'them' the credit card company?? If so, did you cancel in writing... etc.

"they sent me a dispute letter, which i sent back, did not make a copy of, but now it appears on my credit report from a colection agy."
*** The dispute letter would have nothing to do with the validity of the claim.... it is only an opportunity for the account holder to dispute a charge. It does nothing to the charge itself. As such, it has nothing to do with this issue of debt.

"as a individual acct."
*** I doubt it is showing this as a single account.... only that it is showing on your individual account.... as it is on his. This was/is a joint account and both parties are jointly and individually liable for it.

"and now they say bal. is over 4,000.00 ."
*** You would need to review the charges to see if the amount is correct.

"please help me, they would not even give me info on what he purchased,where it was delivered, or anything,"
*** Who is 'they'?? If your name is on the account, you have the right to ask for a copy of the statement. Did you do that, or did you set off their 'alarms' by claiming "This isn't mine!" at the same time you are asking for a copy??

"please help me,"
*** Any determination of 'help' will require you to answer whether this account was cancelled in writing and whether they notified you IN WRITING that you were no longer liable for the account?? Without the last item, you are still a joint owner of a credit account(s) and COULD be liable!!

And finally, what does your divorce order say about all these debts, and who is liable???

Ladynred......thank u so much 4 the quick response,the debt. occured in march 1998 i immediately called Gardner White, and they sent me a dispute letter, never heard back until i received my credit report recently. Back in March, the store where he purchased furniture,would not give me any info, i even went to store, andt hey stated my ex ordered, but if he did not pay, id be liable. I did not cancell any cards in writing, and i had no other problems, except this store. Ive been working with the credit bureau, and they are not having luck with the store either, what the hevk do i do, his man has totally ruined my credit, and i am stuck, thanks again 4 your help, and yes i had a ppo order for 2 yrs. on my ex. and he was giving ne final chance from the judge, jail will be next 4 him.....thanks debi

Jetx......thanks 4 your response to my problem...unfortunetly, i called on all my cards, and had no problem but this one...therewas no balance on acct.when cancelled, i have a credit bureau working on this, but they are having problems with Gardner White also, i tried to get a receipt, orto even find out what was purchased, and where delivered, and being didnt order, they would give me no information, any ideas what i do next......thanks debi