Ex-Sister-In-Law

[len_broncos7]

What is the name of your state? New Mexico
My ex-sister-in-law used my brothers social security number to get 3 credit cards, they had been divorced for 13 years. Anyway they both got along very well and they have two
daughters. What can he do to not be liable for these cards and at the same time not get
X in trouble she is ill she suffers from manic depression. So far I guess he was told by
Bank of america to file a police report, they said it was a civil matter. Can you offer some
advice so that I may let him know I feel so bad for both of them.

[len_broncos7]

Originally Posted by len_broncos7

What is the name of your state? New Mexico
My ex-sister-in-law used my brothers social security number to get 3 credit cards, they had been divorced for 13 years. Anyway they both got along very well and they have two
daughters. What can he do to not be liable for these cards and at the same time not get
X in trouble she is ill she suffers from manic depression. So far I guess he was told by
Bank of america to file a police report, they said it was a civil matter. Can you offer some
advice so that I may let him know I feel so bad for both of them.

My brother does not have a compute, that is why I'm asking for advice

[JustAPal00]

He has only two choices! Call the police and report her for identity theft, or pay off the bill!

[ecmst12]

There is no way to save himself without getting his ex in trouble. But she probably SHOULD be in trouble, maybe it will prompt her to get her illness under control.

[moburkes]

Hello?!?!?

Otherwise, we'd blame all of our debts on another person if it would get us out of paying, but there'd be no consequences for the responsible party.

[debtcollector`]

Originally Posted by moburkes

Hello?!?!?

Otherwise, we'd blame all of our debts on another person if it would get us out of paying, but there'd be no consequences for the responsible party.

They already try it ... all day long. Identity theft isn't nearly the problem people think is it -- more than 90 percent of the time it is a family member.

DC

[moburkes]

Originally Posted by debtcollector`

They already try it ... all day long. Identity theft isn't nearly the problem people think is it -- more than 90 percent of the time it is a family member.

DC

WOW! Just WOW!

[ecmst12]

Just because it's a family member doesn't NECESSARILY mean it's not legit ID theft. Just makes prosecution more complicated. And do you have a source for that 90% or did you just make that number up?

[debtcollector`]

Originally Posted by ecmst12

Just because it's a family member doesn't NECESSARILY mean it's not legit ID theft. Just makes prosecution more complicated. And do you have a source for that 90% or did you just make that number up?

Great point and question. I'd add to the point that most of the time when it is a family member it seems to be some form of conspiracy - rather than outright theft.

For the question, the actual number is higher than 90%. I said more than because I'm not interested in looking for the source again. However, I do remember reading it in an industry pub. When I have a free afternoon, I'll look back through the old files and pull it out for you.

DC

[ecmst12]

That does make sense though, family members do have the easiest access to your information. They don't have to hack your computer or pick through your trash, your parents or spouse know your SS# and can intercept your mail.

[nancesit]

make a police report and send it in to the credit bureaus
about 90% of them are not investigated just like 95% of cyber crime isnt prosecuted.
It is just such a big problem, one of the fatest growing crimes, that this is the case. DO you think loclal police departments have the time to investigate this stuff? and after uve sent in ur police report and its taken off your credit report, if on the unlucky chance, you're one of the few, less than 10%, that gets investigated, you could just not testify against your sister or change your story that you forgot that you gave her permission or something. Police do know that credit card companies arent just losing billions of dollars . they know thats why theres such high interest rate on certain cards.

[ecmst12]

Originally Posted by nancesit

you could just not testify against your sister or change your story that you forgot that you gave her permission or something.

If you refuse to testify, you could be charged with contempt of court. If you lie on the stand, you could be charged with perjury. Not to mention you could then be charged with fraud by the credit card companies, and any debt that was taken off of your account will be put right back on and you're back where you started from, except now you're a criminal instead of a victim. If someone you love steals from you, there are only 2 choices - take responsibility for the theft, or prosecute your loved one. If more people chose option 2, perhaps it wouldn't be such a widespread problem.

[nancesit]

You know it really kills me that credit card compnaies tell you that you HAVE to go file a police report and pay the $15 report fee. Well, that is what they charge where i live for a copy of one. It is the credit card or loan's companies burden to prove that YOU made the debt. Tell your brother to let them take him to court and demand to see HIS signature on any credit card agreement, etc. In this day and age of credit card companies and loan companies taking applications and processing them electronically without even asking for a faxed drivers license or any WRITTEN signatures, that is there risk , not ours, the consumer! if they want more business electronically on the web and dont demand any signatures, then thats their problem and identity victims dont need to be further victims and paying more by getting police reports. I woudl totally make this defense in court and they have no proof your brother made that debt if all it was was electronic.