Can the credit card company pin this one on me?

[basketac]

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

I was listed as an authorized user on a family member's credit card. This account has turned into a collection account and I found out that it has affected my credit report negatively. I want to get the fact straight before I decide whether or not I want to take legal actions. My questions are:

1. No information was supplied about me except for my name. No soc. sec. number, no signature, nothing. Can they do this without proper identification on me? Can I fight this?

2. the account is listed as a "joint account"... what does that mean? can this qualify as joint if I was only listed as a "authorized user"? I have never used the card and I didn't find out I was on the account till much later. What can I do about it?

3. I have filed disputes with the credit bureaus and they keep on sending me letters telling me that the credit card company was able to supply "evidence to prove and verify the accuracy of the account information." Can I request to see the information?

I have been fighting this for a LONG TIME... The credit bureaus are just so incredibly unefficient and completely unhelpful. This fight as aggrevated and agitated the little brain out of me. I am very annoyed... Any additional information or help is greatly appreciated!!!

Please help!!!

Thanks!

 

[willingtocope]

Absolutely

In response to item 3, your next step should be to write the CRAs asking for a procedural explanation...in others words, ask how they arrived at the verification.

Also, if it is a collection agency that is reporting this, write to them and ask for "debt validation"...a signed copy of the contract with your signature, a complete listing of charges, authorization that they have the right to collect the debt, etc.

 

[basketac]

what???

willingtocope

So you're saying that anyone who wants to screw me over can just put my name on a credit card account and list me as a "authorized user" without any of my personal identification info? no soc sec number? no signature? no nothing? Boy, don't we just love how the law works...

 

[Ladynred]

First, what you need to get cleared up is whether or not you're listed as an authorized user or did they put you on as a joint account holder. AU's are NOT liable for the debt of the cardholder, but many people have been screwed by the CC company arbitrarily listing the account as joint. To fight this you're going to have to make them produce ANYTHING with your signature on it showing you as a joint cardholder.

You would then have to get your name removed from the account completely, THEN you can go back and dispute with the CRA's to get the negative marks off your reports.

 

[basketac]

CA is driving me crazy...

i know that i didn't sign anything or give them any permission to put me on as co-account holder. my name was given to the credit card company telling them that i am allowed to use the credit card to purchase items. my DOB or soc sec number wasn't even given to them. it just amazes me how they found me and black mailed me... how would i go about sending the credit card company a demanding letter and what should i say? is there a sample i can look at? will i be getting myself into trouble by writting a letter?

thanks!

 

[tigger22472]

i know that i didn't sign anything or give them any permission to put me on as co-account holder. my name was given to the credit card company telling them that i am allowed to use the credit card to purchase items. my DOB or soc sec number wasn't even given to them. it just amazes me how they found me and black mailed me...

They find who they want to. My cousin has been divorced for over 13 years and has been with her SO for about 10 or more. Just this past year a CA called her home telling her that they were looking for her ex husband for a bill from WAY BACK then (of course I told her the SOL ran out a long time ago) and that if she didn't pay this bill that they would not only come after her but also her SO as they have a joint checking account and have BOTH of their wages garnished for this. She asked them why the hell they weren't going after her ex who was responsible for it. They said they couldn't find him. They did however ask her if her ex MIL still lived in FL. She said as far as she knew she did. The CA rep was just a real A**. My cousin got off the phone, called information and got her ex MIL's phone number, she in turn gave her not only her ex's address but his phone number. My cousin got off the phone and called the CA back and showed them just how easy it was to do. They will go after whomever they think they can intimidate.

 

[Ladynred]

Send the CA a validation demand letter. Its your right under the FDCPA to make the CA produce proof that the debt is yours. 9 times out of 10 they can't come up with a damn thing. In this case, they'll have to produce a copy of the agreement with YOUR signature on it.

You can learn about validation at www.creditinfocenter.com and there are sample letters to use. You will NOT get into any trouble for doing this, its your right under the law !

 

[nissandave]

Did you use the credit card with YOUR NAME on it? If so, you are probably screwed!