Question about credit card fraud?

Question

I've been getting calls from collection agencies telling me that I own them money. I checked my credit report and 11 credits (all charged to the max) are on there and I've never owned a credit card. I have a strong suspicion that it was my roommate, well actually, I'm almost positive it was her. I disputed these cards with the Experian. The problem is that my roommate is very smart. First, she's a handwritting expert, she can duplicate any signature. Also, she new all of my information from my address, to social, to birthday, everything. What I'm afraid of is that I won't win the dispute b/c most likely the cc companies are going to say that my signature was on all the receipts so it can't be fraud. Then they may accuse me of claiming false fraud and I could go to jail. My roommate has pretty much ****** me over. What else can I do to prove I didn't get these credit cards? What if they say that my dispute is denied, then what?

Answer 1

When you have identity theft you do need to assist the police to track it down, but be cautious of making accusations you can not fully back up in court.

You need to inform the companies claiming you owe them money that they have been duped, defrauded, that you do not owe them any money and will never pay it. That is the first step in getting them to correct their error. They will contact the police if they do not intend to simply eat the loss.

It is up to the credit card companies to make any claim of fraud, against whoever they wish. You have not been defrauded, even though your name has been besmirched. So by no means should you ever assert that your roommate has defrauded you.  You have not lost this money, it is the banks  who lost it by their own carelessness.

Answer 2

I am an attorney in Garden Grove, California.  About half my practice is consumer and credit related.  Clients come to me with similar situations several times per month.  You can contact the credit card companies directly (do not be afraid of being punished for informing them of the fraud).  Inform the credit card companies that you are a victim of fraud and tell them the story.  Some companies will forward you to a fraud investigation department and most will request a written statement regarding the fraud. Some companies will require a police report be filed as proof of your sincerity (filing a false police report is a crime).   If these actions do not get you results, contact an attorney.  Adam Fullman.

Answer 3

As suggested contact the police. You could either put a freeze on your credit reports for a small fee to all 3 bureaus. Or you can put the account on fraud alert through Trans Union Fraud Dept. Their toll free # 1-800-680-7289. They will notify the other 2 bureaus, I believe with a police report, it will stay on file for 5 or 7 years on each bureau, I also suggest you get a new roommate.

Answer 4

Before they even get to denying you, you should go to the police station and file a police report.  Be aware that this may result in her getting arrested so only do it if you are serious.