My mom is screwing up my credit score!

[Langlo Family]

So I get this quarterly credit report through my credit card. Normally there is nothing new on it since I don't use my credit cards other than using them and paying them off right away. But it's a nice way to see my score climb. Well this time, I had a shocking one. My credit score almost dropped 100 pts! I started freaking out calling every number I could find. And it turned out my mom spent over $1,000 worth on a gas card and decided she didn't want to pay the bill. It was reported over 120 days late! It was a gas card that my mom got for me when I went off for college that I barely ever used. When I was through with college, I closed the card as I had no use for it anymore. But I guess I was still considered an authorized signer on her card, thus ruining my credit.

So I talked with the card company and they asked me to file a dispute and in 45 days everything will be taken off my credit. I have a little trouble believing this.

Has anyone gone through something like this or have any advice they might give me? Other than completely seperate everything from my mom?: )

[maat55]

I recommend that you go to CardRatings.com. They have a forum that should be very helpful. Some here may have had this problem, but i'm sure you will get some useful feedback there also. Good luck.

Credit Card Statistics

[SnoopyCool]

Wow... that's difficult. My friend went through very similar things with her MIL and there's bad blood between them now. Have you spoken with your mom about it?

[scfr]

My mom put me on her credit card account when I was overseas as an exchange student in college, for emergencies. I never used it and forgot all about it.

When we went to buy our first house, that cc popped up on my credit report. My mom had to have my name removed from the account, and she had the credit card company write a letter saying I was no longer on the account or responsible for it. It took some time but was fairly straight forward to do. However, my mom was current on her account, and your situation is a bit different. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably ask mom to pretty please get current on her account, and then have you removed.

[JanH]

DIL's mom actually used DIL's name and social to get cards (while DIL was in college) and didn't pay them and ruined DIL's credit. I'm thinking that she had to file a police report and then place a fraud alert on her report. Your situation is different, but I guess my point is to try to file like they said and be diligent on the report stuff. She recently had a card pop back up on her report. I guess it had been sold to a different collection agency instead of being permanently removed. They were told they had to file another charge with the police before it could be removed. But, now I'm wondering a bit more about that. Especially since you were told to file a dispute. I might mention that to them. They have almost decided just to pay it and monitor for any more surprises. The fraud alert keeps anyone from opening an account so she has to show ID in person when she needs something like when they moved recently and changed utilities. I'd separate your finances from your mom's if she is not going to pay and you will be hurt by it.

[startaquote]

That's seriously messed up. Even if you pay the bill, it's ultimately still on your record. Why did she have access to this card and who regularly paid the bills?

[noppenbd]

I have heard that fraud alerts are basically worthless. Anyone who has had any ID theft (or just doesn't want it to happen to them) should put a credit freeze on the 3 bureaus. It is inexpensive and bulletproof.

[poundwise]

But I guess I was still considered an authorized signer on her card, thus ruining my credit.

Being an authorized signer would not have this effect. You are most likely the account holder or a joint account holder.

[osadg]

I went through a similar situation and I have to tell you that it didn't work out the way I wanted it to. I tried disputing the account every which way was offered to me, and it just didn't work out. I ended up settling the account, and had to wait for it to drop off my credit report. The one thing I do suggest is to keep fighting it, and keep EVERYTHING! The one that has helped me out, is by having the documents I used to dispute everything ready every time I had my credit pulled for anything.

Good Luck!! And keep arguing it-I know it's not fun.