I have old phone bills from 94 that accumulated tons of debt. The kicker is I'm only 20 yrs old now. what 2 do

Question

The address on the bills match an address I found on a lease that my mother and grandparents signed. I also have a reciept for rent paid in my mother's name at the same address. I was 6 years old when the account was opened. And there's more than one phone account. What should I do? I can't get approved for any student loans, car loans, credit cards, etc. and I'm supposed to start school in September!

Answer 1

You are a victim of identity theft.  Even though it was done by a member of your family, it was still a crime.   You should contact the police and report the crime, so that you have a police report to reference when working to clear your credit.  

You should do some research on the internet to learn more of what to do when you are a victim of identity theft.  You need to start with one of the three big credit reporting agencies.  

I looked at Experian's site. They are one of the three.

http://www.experian.com/identity_fraud/v...   and found this information.   Please note that the investigation must be completed within 30 days, and that the information is removed from  your credit report if found to be fraudulent.  Since you were only 6 years old when these charges were incurred, it should be fairly obvious that they are not valid, so you should start this process as quickly as possible.

If you have reason to believe that you are a victim of fraud, Experian can assist you in your efforts to protect your credit.

Step 1: Consumer contacts Experian’s National Consumer Assistance Center

Consumers can visit our online Credit Fraud Center or call Experian’s automated voice attendant at 1 888 397 3742, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days each year.

A 90-day security alert is immediately added to the consumer’s credit file. This alerts creditors to confirm the consumer’s identity before extending credit.

The consumer’s name is removed from prescreened credit solicitation lists as an additional precaution.

The consumer may request a complimentary consumer report.

Step 2: Consumer receives reports

The consumer reviews his or her consumer disclosure for fraudulent data and calls a special telephone number listed on the credit report to speak with an Experian consumer assistance associate specially trained in fraud victim assistance.

Together, the consumer and the consumer assistance associate identify fraudulent items. The items are investigated and verified.

Step 3: Investigation begins

Experian verifies the information that the consumer alleges as fraudulent with the creditors or data furnishers.

Upon receipt of a valid police report, Experian blocks alleged fraudulent information from view by creditors and other users of the report. This allows a victim to continue to be credit active without being penalized for any fraudulent information on his or her report.

Experian employs special system procedures and matching criteria to ensure that fraudulent data is removed as soon as possible.

Step 4: Fraudulent data is removed

Experian must complete an investigation within 30 days. If the data contributor cannot verify information as accurate within the statutory deadlines, Experian’s systems are designed to delete or update the information.

Answer 2

Call the company you owe the money to.  As a minor at the time of the debt, you probably aren't responsible.  

Your parents/grandparents could get in trouble now with all the identity theft lately...  basically that is what they did.  They opened an account in your name without your consent (as a 6 year old, you weren't able to give consent anyway) and ran up bills in your name using your ss number...

You should also contact the credit reporting agencies and dispute the debt.  You were a minor.  It's unlikely it is your debt.  They will see that.

Answer 3

those bills couldnt be in your name if you were a child at the time..You need to get them off your credit report. Call the phone company and explain the situation. They can change the information that's reported to the credit bureau.. Have you asked your mother about it????

Answer 4

All you have to do really is file a report with the credit bureaus saying that you could not have made those debts because you were 6 years old. With those statements on your report they will be processed as if they aren't there at all.

I have done this before. Filing reports with the police for identity theft never gets you anywhere. They do nothing about it. If that is easier for you then no your mom will not get hurt by it. Just tell them you have reports on your credit file that show someone was using your social, and the only way to get loans is to get a report showing it wasn't you.

Either way will work.

Answer 5

So in 1994, your mother used your credit, by using your name (since I'm guessing this is showing up on your credit report) to get a phone in a home she rented?

a.  Do you have the same name as your father?

b.  Since you were 6 in 1994, you should be able to fight the charge.  You would probably have to provide a copy of your Birth Certificate to prove this to them.

c.  Technically this is "fraud" and identity theft.  Be aware this may cause some big issues in your family, but at the same time you shouldn't be held responsible for something that was "done to you" when you were six.

Dispute the charges with all the credit reporting agencies and with the original debtor (the phone company mentioned on your credit report).

Answer 6

File a police report.  Attach a copy of that police report to the dispute you send to the credit bureaus.  It will expedite getting the items removed from your file.

Frankly, your mother didn't care that she was s******g up your credit, why should you care if she gets in trouble for criminal activities?

Calling the phone companies won't help at all.  These debts were long ago sold off to collection agencies.  You may need a copy of that police report in the future to deal with these collection agency calls.