Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Massachusetts

Authorized user/joint account credit card debt

My partner put me on her card as an authorized user a few years ago. The account has gone into collections recently for more than 120, (she can't pay) and they are now coming after me saying I am instead a joint account holder. She was told by them that it would never show on my credit, and that she was responsible- now it's on my credit report. Would there be any legal action I could take to clear my name & not be responsible for this aside from sueing her?

Unfortunately, I used the card, and sometimes payed them directly. Should I contact a lawyer or what would be the best strategy- I'm already trying to pay off my own debt & struggling...so any help would be really appreciated!

thanks.


Asked on 11/02/06, 9:28 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Dmitry Lev The Lev Law Firm

Re: Authorized user/joint account credit card debt

If you did not sign a cardholder agreement promising to repay the debt on the card then what they are doing may be a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Are you sure you were just an authorized user and not, in fact, a joint account holder? Who is the credit card company?

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Answered on 11/03/06, 1:00 am


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