I don’t really know where to start or begin, I live in California and I am 20 years old, recently I found out that I’m in collections, but why ? I’ve never had a credit card or my own bills on a credit card, so why am I in collections ? My mom whom I don’t live with or speak to used my email and phone number on a Wi-Fi bill or something along the lines of that over two years ago, however she also went as far as making an account when I just thought only my phone number and email would be used and yes, I know that sounds stupid especially since I don’t talk to her But at the same time this happened two years ago when I turned 18 and I had no idea or clue about any of this, bills or credit ( sorry I’m a late bloomer and lucky enough to still have my guardians provide ) but now I want to open up a credit card, but I think I’m doomed? I also want to mention that this will be the first year I file taxes by myself so will I have to pay?
I’m not even done, The Wi-Fi thing was two years ago and I thought it was the only thing but apparently she opened up a PG&E gas and water bill and provided my Social Security.
Now here’s where I think I messed up , they kept calling me and obviously I had no clue about any of this so I answered and said, yeah, I know who lives at that address that I basically admit to owning that debt? Is this already affecting my credit or Social Security? Is that even a thing, affecting ones Social Security? Later, I’m gonna talk to my guardians about this to see whether or not I should make a police report under fraud or something.
And some of you may wonder well why did it take you so long to realize or why did you say yes in the first place? It was over two years ago before I was 18 actually when she asked to use my email and phone number for her Wi-Fi account, even though I didn’t know it was my account. ( I never got emails or text messages directly ) And mind you I was young still in high school and I didn’t really know much about any of this or how it could affect me now. Plus, she lied. I did not know that it was an account under my name and then later on I did not know that she made a whole PG&E account or bill under my name. I never even authorized that. Does PG&E get in trouble? Do I?
I can give more details if needed, but so far this is all I have . * I am aware a lot of this does not make sense and is confusing. I myself am still confused. I just recently found out about this during the week. I also know that it was a dumb choice to answer debt collectors, and I usually don’t answer random phone calls, but it was an area code from my town and all of the voice messages would have my name and information not aware that that’s something most people should not do :/ *
I’m in collections because my mom used my Social Security
byu/Live_College_6211 inpersonalfinance
Posted by Live_College_6211
7 Comments
“provide provided my Social Security”
This is intentional fraud by somebody else, you either do something about it by reporting it or you choose to accept this collection
You need an adult to be your handler though, none of this makes any sense. I don’t think you should be left alone. I have no idea why you would think somebody would need your email and phone number for anything ever in THEIR name andI have no idea why you would answer the phone for literally anybody besides a known contact
Minors cannot legally consent.
Therefore, any of those things that your mother did before you were 18 should be easily proved to be invalid.
Unfortunately for you, this is still going to be a bit of a mess.
Step 1 is to review the PF Wiki, section on Identity theft.
* https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/identity_theft
Follow the instructions to review your credit reports. And freeze them.
There may be more things that you are unaware of that your mother has done.
Once you have this data, visit with your local police department. Ask to file a police report for identity theft. It may be worthwhile to bring copies of your credit report to show what you’re talking about.
Once the report is filed, get a copy.
Then contact each of the businesses involved and explain that you are a victim of identity theft. Be willing to provide a copy of the police report to substantiate your claim.
Unfortunately you may have to repeat this with each business and you are sure to be sent around in circles with some of them.
Do not acknowledge the debt. Get a copy of your credit report— it’s free and make sure you go through the government site to order it. Any credit or outs bills in your name will be on it. Challenge everything that is not yours. If she did it for utilities, she will do it for other things. Since you don’t speak with your mom, report her for identity theft.
Step 1 – go online to freeze your credit. You need to freeze with all three bureaus: Experian, transunion, and equifax. This is simple and you can look up directions online or even call them if you need help. While freezing your credit, add a fraud alert with your updated contact info so if she tries to get anymore lines of credit, the creditors can call you directly. This is very important because you will be notified of any attempts and you can speak to them and tell them it was not you. You can also look at your credit reports to see a list of all open accounts in your name.
Step 2 – this is the hard part, but if you want the debt taken off of your credit report, you NEED to file a police report. Your mom will beg you not to but if you don’t, that debt is yours and they will force you to pay it through the courts. You will be living with the consequences of unpaid debt and bad credit into your 30s. You won’t be able to rent an apartment, buy a car, get a loan, anything like that.
You will NOT GET IN TROUBLE. You are the victim here. There are solutions for you, but you need that police report to access any solutions. My friend’s mom did something similar to her and her credit is still ruined; she didn’t file the police report because her mom made up stories and guilted her. She is now in her 30s stuck living at home and was even forced to beg her dad to co-sign a car loan on a used car because she couldn’t even get approved for that.
My dad is very financially irresponsible. I froze my credit when I was around your age after he asked me to take out store credit cards “for him to use.” I don’t know if he tried anything because if your credit is frozen, it just gets denied. I now have the fraud alerts in place as well.
All the advice here is pretty accurate. I am only writing to tell you that parents do this to their kids often, and you are not alone. Don’t feel dumb about it either, because it’s hard for the child of such parents to accept that their parent would cheat them this way.
Just know that we’re here for you, and if you have any further questions we’ll be glad to advise you. My prayers go out for you that you’ll be able to resolve this satisfactorily.
PS, freeze your credit NOW. You can do this online at any time, so no need to wait for business hours. (Note down the PIN numbers each if the three credit bureaus give you. You’ll need them to be able to temporarily unlock your credit freeze should you ever apply for a loan or a credit card.) And freeze it. Don’t lock it. Freezing is free. Locking is something they can charge you for. Also, don’t sign up for their bogus “credit checking” services. You can do that by yourself periodically, as each one owes you a free report every year.
Get your credit report, go to the police and tell them what is going on, share the police report with EVERY CREDITOR LISTED ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT. Your identity was stolen, you don’t have to say who stole it, the credit card companies and the police will determine if charges are filed through their investigation.
Once you do all of the above, your credit and all of the debt should clear. Keep copies of everything for future use.
I don’t want to overwhelm you with anything, but I will say with all the weight I can put behind the words, so everything it takes to protect yourself, even if it means prosecuting her. It’s my biggest regret in my entire life was letting my mother off the hook.
I’m so sorry this happened to you.