Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Michigan
Harrassed for unauthorized credit card
After I moved out of my mother's house in Oct 2002, she signed to authorize a credit card offer sent to my attention in the mail. She signed my name in which she made herself an additional user. I did not know about this until after it was added to my credit report. The collection agency is now harassing me on my job saying that they will take me to court and charge 3 times the balance of what they say I owe. How do I prove that I did not authorize this card and have this debt removed from my credit report?
Thank you.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Harrassed for unauthorized credit card
This will be an arduous task due to the fact that the unauthorized user is your mother. You should be able to obtain a copy of the signature as proof that it was not your signature. You will also have to respond to the inquiry as to why you did not notice this sooner such as when you received your bills.
You should write and send a certified letter indicating that you dispute the debt and why. Furthermore, you should request that the creditor discontinue contacting you at your employment indicating that it is disruptive. Finally, if you want them off your back permanently, send them a letter requesting that they stop contacting you as you do not have the money to pay the disputed portion of the debt. If you add this to the letter, they will be forced to file a suit. I have posted such a letter at my website at www.lawrefs.com.
If you would like further information please contact me via my website, www.lawrefs.com. Good luck.