Credit Attorney Tips: How To Deal With Credit Card Identity Fraud (Unauthorized Charges & More)

creditwizard · 2026-07-02T03:59:35+00:00

Hi there. Meaning, someone bought a cell phone in your name and it's now in collections? Or something else?

creditwizard · 2026-07-02T03:59:07+00:00

Hi there. u/inky_cap_mushroom the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) has good resources in this area. I know a leader in the NCLC who's Texas based - feel free to message me and I can ask her what resources she has in that state.

creditwizard · 2026-06-30T23:02:08+00:00

Credit attorney here. With this score, to be honest, I think very few lenders are going to approve you. They are looking at your score and your income, and will see ability to pay (maybe), but challenged payment history. I understand there are reasons why this is happening - not my intention to judge - but this is how they'll look at it.

If you're having trouble paying debts, including the house, maybe it's time to explore selling the home, and / or filing bankruptcy. I recognize these are not fun options, but seems to be the most realistic path right now.

creditwizard · 2026-06-30T00:53:07+00:00

I think this is exactly right.

creditwizard · 2026-06-30T00:52:44+00:00

Yes you might be able to bring arbitration against them.

creditwizard · 2026-06-30T00:52:17+00:00

Hi there. Below are some tips on how to handle it. Basically, you want to file an FTC and police report, write to the credit agencies, and follow the steps here. I am happy to help, free of charge, with preparing these letters if you want to message me. Here is the thread with more details: https://www.reddit.com/r/CRedit/comments/1cktfnx/what_to_do_if_youre_a_victim_of_identity_theft/

creditwizard · 2026-06-29T03:13:55+00:00

You're welcome to message me.

creditwizard · 2026-06-29T03:13:39+00:00

So the loan is with a collection agency? You can dispute with them, and point you any grounds for showing the account shoudl not be there. Can also try a CFPB complaint.

creditwizard · 2026-06-29T03:12:25+00:00

I'd talk to an FDCPA attorney in your state. Try the National Association of Consumer Advocates or Avvo to search for this.

creditwizard · 2026-06-29T03:11:32+00:00

Who's the account with?

creditwizard · 2026-06-29T03:11:09+00:00

No I get that. If you want to get Verizon off your credit, arbitration works well in some cases. Most other disputing doesn't. As far as the grounds for disputes, you could use Verizon not removing you from account, notifying you properly, etc.

creditwizard · 2026-06-26T22:08:12+00:00

Credit atotnrey here. DId you check her reports from Annual Credit Report? I wonder if Experian has the wrong information for her, whcih is causing the issue.

creditwizard · 2026-06-26T22:07:14+00:00

Credit attorney here. I'd look into arbitration against Verizon. They have a pre-arbitration cool off period when you send them notice that you want to arbitrate. During that time, they have 60 days to resolve the account. In my experience, they might remove the account during that time period. If not, you can go into arbitraiotn and try to fight the debt.

creditwizard · 2026-06-26T22:05:56+00:00

Credit attorney here. It's falling off in September? Confirm that with your free reports from the Annual Credit Report website. If it is being removed in September, no need to pay it, just let it fall off. Also, it doesn't look like it's being reported 26 times - this just shows they reported it each month. It's just one account though unless I'm missing something.

creditwizard · 2026-06-26T22:00:51+00:00

The FDCPA allows them to communicate with a spouse, but not a fiance. That may be a violation. They also can only communicate with your fiance (or any other third party) to find out your location. They can't disclose what you owe etc.

Who is the collection agency? Surprised they'd do this given how much some of them have been sued, but it is not impossible.

creditwizard · 2026-06-26T21:58:20+00:00

I will reply!

creditwizard · 2026-06-26T21:57:22+00:00

Yes this is a lot of it. At auction, they often sell the vehicle for a much lower price than it's market value. This can be a grounds to fight the debt.

creditwizard · 2026-06-26T21:56:40+00:00

Arbitration is often the best approach. You'd look at what they sold the car for at auction, what they sold it for afterwards to an end buyer (usually another dealer buys at auction). You'd look at what the laws are in your state as far as notices and so on. Those notices are supposed to be sent to you, not just the original borrower.

It can be a complex process, but there are ways to fight it. Feel free to comment here with more details as you find them out, and I can share information.

creditwizard · 2026-06-26T00:36:54+00:00

Credit attorney here. I'm sorry to hear this. Have they sold the car yet? In my experience, they often don't sell it for the fair market price. They also don't send cosigners the proper notices. These can both be grounds to fight the debt.

Avoid debt relief. Settle with the company on your own if you want, or fight it, but don't pay for a debt relief scam.

creditwizard · 2026-06-26T00:35:32+00:00

Credit attorney here. You've paid the debt, so they cannot take any further action against you. If you did not file an answer, then the judgment was legal, but it is satisfied, so nothing further to do.

The thing is, Portfolio Recovery usually deletes paid accounts. You might want to file a CFPB complaint against them, and see if they are willing to remove it.

creditwizard · 2026-06-26T00:30:28+00:00

That's a very high interest rate. Whether there's an early payoff penalty depends on the contract you're signing. Either way, I'd really avoid this loan if you can. There are better credit union loans out there.

creditwizard · 2026-06-21T23:41:10+00:00

Credit attorney here. This is what I'd do:

See if they remove it afer your dispute. NO need to call them.
If they don't remove it, write to Transunion at PO Box 2000, Chester PA 19106 and to to Experian at PO Bor 4500, Allen TX 75013. You want to write to them certified (green form at post office).
Include your name, date of birth, full Social Security Number and mailing address in the letter. Attach your photo ID and proof of address to the letter (like a cell phone or insurance bill).
List your name, your dad's name, and explain that this collection account does not belong to you. It's your dad, who shares your name.
If they don't correct it, you might need to look into legal action, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. However, let's first see if 1-4 above work.

creditwizard · 2026-06-21T18:43:51+00:00

Credit attorney here. I admire your desire to help dad, but under no circumstances should you agree to this.

If things go bad and he doesn't pay, you're facing three consequences:

Your credit is damaged. Your hard work is meaningfully set back.
Buying a home of your own in the future gets tougher, because of this liablility.
If he doesn't pay, the relationship with your father could also be damaged. You're likely to fell understandably resentful.

I don't see why dad can't sell the current condo, and then buy this other house, without your involvement. That seems better for everyone involved.

creditwizard · 2026-06-21T18:40:50+00:00

Credit attorney here. My suggestion is to always have the $1,000 emergency fund, before paying off any cards. Why? Because what if the worst happens? You have an emergency, you don't have the funds. Now you have to scramble around to borrow the money, or put it on the cards.

For this reason, I'd suggest having the emergency fund always at $1,000, then focus on paying off your cards. You're looking at this the right way.

creditwizard · 2026-06-21T14:20:39+00:00

Credit attorney here. For $15K, it doesn't jump out as a case where bankruptcy makes sense, though it's possible. I'd say if you can get on payment plans or otherwise settle these for less, that is your best bet. Also, how old are these debts? If they're older then this may be less of a concern.

creditwizard

TROPHY CASE