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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
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    Default What Can a Card Holder Do About Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

    My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Arizona

    Hello,

    I have been searching endlessly for an answer and I hope someone here can help. My mother in law stayed with us for a month after being arrested and had no money and no credit cards of her own as she was not allowed back into her husbands house. My wife allowed her to use my wife's credit card for groceries for the family twice while staying with us. My mother in law then moved out on bad terms. We soon found out that she took my wife's credit card with her and made a $25,00 purchase at Costco for a ring, which she had shipped to the mother in law's house. My mother in law then tried to ask Costco for a cash refund in store. My mother in law sent several emails to my wife rubbing it in my wife's face that because she was an "authorized user," that the purchase was legit. We later found out that she also took out other credit cards in my wife's name and had been using them as well. We notified the police and Chase, but the police won't do anything because Chase is not classifying the purchase as fraud. Chase says the purchase was legit because my wife gave her access to the card at the time she allowed her to buy groceries for the family. What legal action can we take? We have fought this and are now being told by the credit card company that we owe the $25k, despite my mother in law having possession of the ring.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Default Re: What Can a Card Holder Do About Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

    Well, that's right up there with the "best of the worst" mother-in-law stories....
    Quote Quoting SJames2017
    View Post
    We soon found out that she took my wife's credit card with her and made a $25,00 purchase at Costco for a ring, which she had shipped to the mother in law's house.... Chase says the purchase was legit because my wife gave her access to the card at the time she allowed her to buy groceries for the family.
    From their standpoint, it is your obligation -- when you let somebody else use your credit card, you run the risk that they will use it in a manner to which you later object, but that's a risk you assume and not one you can shift to the credit card company.
    Quote Quoting SJames2017
    We later found out that she also took out other credit cards in my wife's name and had been using them as well.
    That's a separate issue from the ring. Your wife should make sure that those accounts are canceled, and she can separately report that activity to the police as identity theft and financial fraud.
    Quote Quoting SJames2017
    What legal action can we take?
    Your wife can sue her mother for the money. But unfortunately, if she has no money, even with a judgment you probably won't get anything from her.

    Is there any chance of being able to obtain and return the ring? (Note that used jewelry is worth a fraction of its 'retail' value, so if you want the money back you really need to focus on returning the ring while that is still possible.)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
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    19,901

    Default Re: What Can a Card Holder Do About Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

    Your mother being in possession of the ring means nothing to your obligation to Chase. You allowed her to use your card, and hence she was an authorized user, even if you didn't like what she bought. Frankly, I'd be doing whatever I could to get the $25K OFF the high interest card onto something you can deal with reasonably. Whether Chase determines it as fraud really shouldn't matter to the police. You need to rattle cages higher up in the department or contact the prosecutor.

    As for getting the ring or some money back, that's a civil matter. Sue your mother in law.

    As for the other accounts, this is identity theft. You need to go full up on that. You need to contact the lenders on all accounts you know about. Check your credit history carefully. You may wish to put in blocks at the big three for the time being. Information on Identity theft resources in your state you can start here: https://www.azag.gov/identity-theft

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
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    Default Re: What Can a Card Holder Do About Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

    Okay. That all makes sense, and thank you for your replies. As for filing a suit against her, what are the chances of my wife winning? Now that my mother in law is back living in her own house, she does have access to more than enough money to pay my wife back if she is forced to by the courts.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    1,131

    Default Re: What Can a Card Holder Do About Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

    Quote Quoting SJames2017
    View Post
    As for filing a suit against her, what are the chances of my wife winning?
    Sorry, you need to consult a psychic to get that answer.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
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    3,212

    Default Re: What Can a Card Holder Do About Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

    Never give your Credit or Debit Card to Anyone. Or the Account Number and 3 Digit Security Code

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
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    629

    Default Re: What Can a Card Holder Do About Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

    Quote Quoting SJames2017
    View Post
    Now that my mother in law is back living in her own house, she does have access to more than enough money to pay my wife back if she is forced to by the courts.
    There in lies the major problem with civil suits, the courts don't force her to pay you. They just make a determination of whether she legally owes you the money or not, it's up to YOU to force her to then pay the money owed.

    Good luck with that!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    401

    Default Re: What Can a Card Holder Do About Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

    With $25k on the line I would consult with a local attorney about the viability of a civil suit against MIL. Bear in mind you could end up paying that much in attorney fees though if you do file suit.

    Personally I'd file the police reports on the fraudulent accounts she opened, which is required to get them off of your wife's credit report, and MIL will just have to deal with the fallout from that. Your wife also needs to lock her credit so no new lines can be opened.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    Default Re: What Can a Card Holder Do About Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

    Is it $25,000 or $25.00.?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    401

    Default Re: What Can a Card Holder Do About Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

    Quote Quoting PayrolGuy
    View Post
    Is it $25,000 or $25.00.?
    Last sentence of the first post, the ring from Costco that was charged to the authorized user card cost $25,000. OP hasn't said how much was charged on the fraudulent lines of credit opened by his MIL.

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