IS there any negative impact for being someone's credit reference?

[merekc]

A family member (semi-without permission) put my DH as their credit reference for at least two accounts (that I know of).

We got a call 6 months ago or so from one of the creditors trying to reach them. We gave them their new phone number since they had recently moved. (Don't flame me, it is not my responsiblity to hide them from their debts). When we mentioned it to this person, they acted like it was no big deal and there were no issues going on.

Now through the grapevine about a month ago, I heard this person is declaring bankruptcy. Unfortunate for them, but none of my business. Well today, I have a message from a second creditor looking for this person.

So now I'm wondering 1) How many times did they use my DH's name (as a reference). 2) How many more calls are we going to get? and 3) There are no repercussions for my DH are there, since it isn't his issue?

I'm going to go through the roof if we start getting hounded by their creditors!

 

[PinkRhombus]

You have no legal ties to the debt...I mean, a person can put your name down all they want, but unless you sign something, you're clear. The references are for, well, what they're doing now. Calling you in the hopes that you will nag them to pay their bills. Which isn't your job.

You may get more calls. Just say they moved and you don't have any contact with them and give them their new number, and to remove YOUR information from their files.

 

[merekc]

That's what I was thinking, but I thought I would double check.

 

[dismom24]

We had several family members give our info for credit references and then change their own phone #'s when they didn't pay. They can be nasty, one kept accusing me of being SIL and lying about it. As soon as you tell them they can not use you as a contact, they are not supposed to call you anymore - most won't. It is annoying.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There was a family of three that used to have what is now my current phone number. I have had the number since February 2005, so it probably stopped being theirs some time in late 2004.

I still get one or two calls a month for them that are obviously from bottom-feeder collection companies (these are the ones who buy written-off debts, usually after the Statute of Limitations has tolled). I am very polite to identify myself and tell them I have never met the people with that last name.

I am now telling them that I heard one of the family was killed in a drug deal gone bad and if they want further information to contact the County Sheriff's Office.

 

[CarolA]

No they just call to look for the deadbeat LOL!

My boyfriend's newphew did this. He regretted it. The boyfriend ALWAYS tells whoever asks where they can find the deadbeat! LOL!

 

[LKHomemail]

If you did not co sign on the loan , then you have no obligations. Usually a credit reference is asked for because it is valuable for the collectors to have in the event there is default in payment. Most people list people that they keep in contact with and most people will willingly provide the update. The reason the nearest relative not living with you is asked for on applications is for the same reason. I would think that now that you have given the correct phone number to the collector , the credit report will get updated pretty fast within 30 days and everyone else will have the number. You might get a few more calls because this is a bankruptcy and your relative will not be able to talk to the collector or respond to any correspondence without his / her attorneys permission. They will collect the correspondence and forward it to the attorney who will send out a form letter that is required. If the calls continue , just continue to refer them to your relative or ask the caller not to call you or tell the caller that you will give the person their information and ask them to call you. Your option. Good luck to you. I would hate getting extra phone calls. Good luck to you.

 

[momxx5]

It can get frustrating, but really there is little you can do.

My DS(15)'s cell phone number was used by Angela XYZ and there are periods when the collection agencies calling his number looking for her.

Its bad when the phone rings when he is at school. Once a month I catch the calls and tell them to stop calling a child!

 

[jnorth1007]

Legally they are only allowed to contact you once. As soon as you tell them that you do not want to be contacted they must stop calling you. Suze Orman had a part of her show a while back about this. She may even have an archive on her website about what to do if they continue to call you.

 

[disbridemimi]

The downside is youl prob need to change your phone number. Collectors never stop calling, and they never believe you when you tell them you dont know the deadbeats number. Dont feel sad and alone though, they will call anyone who is listed in the phone book with the same last name as the deadbeat too. I used to tell them when they found her, to please call me back cuz i had some things Id like to discuss with her as well. lol.


Been there done that! Save yourself the hassle and change your tn, then dont give it to the deadbeat. If you have the deadbeats number, give it to them.

 

[mombare]

Collection agencies will just randomly contact people with connections, even if your name hasn't been given. Case in point....
My brother-in-law got a phone call looking for his sister's sister-in-law. I know - confusing how in the heck he got the phone call. Apparently his sister wouldn't give our her sister-in-law's information so they started calling people with HER last name. The woman they were looking for is in a different state and we have only met her a handful of times.
I guess they were definitely persistent is collecting that debt!

 

[micheleq]

Once in a while we get phone calls looking for the previous owner of our house (we've been here for four years). And this phone number has never been associated with them! I politely tell them that person no longer resides here and to please remove my name and number from their information. My town and state still send delinquent auto tax notices here, and last time I was in town hall I told an employee in the tax assessor's office that this person no longer lived here. I even told them the town they had moved to, but they didn't seem too interested.

Hopefully the calls to your home end soon.

 

[ICan'tWait]

Know how you feel. Last month I received collector calls looking for SIL, BIL, MIL, and niece (also on DH side of the family). Unbelievable.