Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California
ex wife's cell phone debt
My ex wife opened an account with a cellular phone company using my social security number without my knowledge. We were married at the time and have since divorced. The phone company turned this over to collection. Untill I applied for a home loan I had no idea of this debt. I have taken her to small claims court, and the judge said I legally must pay half. How am I liable when I did not open this account, and the phone company nor the collection agency can provide me with a copy of the original contract? I did not sign anything saying she could use my ss#. Isn't this fraud on her part? What is my recourse?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: ex wife's cell phone debt
The debt is community debt. Your ex- should be responsible for the entire debt, though. Since you cannot appeal, you're stuck with the result. Maybe you can try to negotiate with the cell phone company, though.