What should you do if a parent has put a bill in your name when you were a child?

Question

IF YOU FIND OUT AS AN ADULT THAT YOUR PARENT HAS GOTTEN A UTILITY BILL IN YOUR NAME WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, AND IT IS DESTROYING YOUR CREDIT, WHAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CLEAR UP THE MATTER LEGALLY?

Answer 1

That's wrong, just plain wrong.  I would get a lawyer and see if you can clear this mess up.  

Answer 2

I wouldn't file charges against my parents.  If I were you I would sit down and talk to them and have them clear up the bill asap.

Answer 3

yes you can totally charge for that especially if you were not informed  

Answer 4

Sadly enough, the only way to clear your credit is to press charges against the Parent.. they get criminal charges, The bad charges get wiped from your credit history.

There is no other way to deal with it.

I know, sounds harsh... but if/when you contact a lawyer an ask, that is the answer you are going to get.

The other way will be harder, and take longer, but..you could go to the parent and ask them to pay whatever past due balances are on your report, and once that is done get a "garunteed credit" credit card..the type that gives a 300 limit, charges and instant 100 dollar fee to the card. Charge it up to the max..wait a month and pay it off, then do it again...rinse and repeat for a year.

The quickest way..press charges against the parent, get a conviction, contest the bad reports on your credit...show them the proof that someone was convicted, and threaten to sue them if they don't remove the bad credit from your report. It will come right off.

Answer 5

I am assuming you ran your credit through one of the agencies - you didn't say if it was just the one utility bill, or were others involved? If you haven't already, I would call the credit bureau and ask WHEN this/these bills started popping up! ( I can't see ONE bill ruining your credit though! after ten years, they are supposed to wipe it out!) Something is missing ---  anyway, you might have to prove your age etc to the bureau, as to when these bills commenced.  In other words, say if you were 7 years old, there's no way you would be responsible for any bill! Of course, I would also call the utulity company or whoever, and if the parent is still alive, I would definately take him or her to task!! Also check any bill, credit card etc that the person might have used your name to secure credit from anyone! If I knew more of the story, I could have given you a better answer!

Answer 6

make a police report then contact the company and inform them what is going on and by the way in most places stealing utilities is a felony

oh yeah FYI when the caps lock is on it means your yelling at everyone

Answer 7

You would need to detail WHEN THIS HAPPENED, as well as how much is involved.. since you say it is destroying your credit.

This both fraud on the utility company and id theft towards you.  If it was a stranger, you would not hesitate to have charges filed. It is criminal.

The question is, what is your relationship with the parent at this time?

Disputing the charges will lead to them investigating who actually did this.

I personally think anyone should be charged for doing this.. your credit is more than just a credit card or something small, and more important all the time.

Hard choice for you to make.  

Answer 8

It cannot legally hurt your credit-- children under 18 cannot be held to a legally binding contract (such as your contact that says you will pay the utility bill.)

If you're positive that this bill was put into your name while you were under the age of 18, you can file a dispute with the credit bureaus.  You can contact any/all of them via their websites:  Experian.com, Equifax.com, TransUnion.com.  

As I have not been through it myself, I cannot give you the exact details-- but at the credit bureau they'll be able to give you all the help in the world.  After all, it's what they're there for.

Best of Luck