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MMJ2004 · Mar 26, 2009, 01:59 PM

I was an authorized user on my mothers account and she has deceased over two years ago. I am been doing a little research (which I probably should have done sooner) and understand that it was illegal to use the credit card after her date of death. My intentions were to continue paying the credit card. I have stopped using it and have not been able to continue making the payments. The credit card company has been trying to contact me and we have been playing phone tag. I am scared and afraid I have done something horribly wrong. What should I expect when I finally speak with the fraud department of the credit card company? I would like to make a payment arrangement or something, but do I have to worry about criminal charges?

JudyKayTee · Mar 26, 2009, 02:03 PM

In NY this is bank fraud as well as criminal impersonation and, yes, you can be arrested. I can't imagine that using someone else's credit card (particularly the card of a deceased person) is without legal consequence in California.

I would find the means to pay the TOTAL SUM DUE now and avoid the issue entirely.

Quite frankly I am surprised that you would see no problem in using your late mother's credit card - and credit.

MMJ2004 · Mar 26, 2009, 02:38 PM

JudyKayTee,

I appreciate you taking the time to give your feedback; however your assumption about not having any problem with using my late mothers credit/credit card wasn't my question or even my statement. It is insulting that you think you are obviously above everyone and can decide to pass judgements.

JudyKayTee · Mar 26, 2009, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by MMJ2004

JudyKayTee,

I appreciate you taking the time to give your feedback; however your assumption about not having any problem with using my late mothers credit/credit card wasn't my question or even my statement. It is insulting that you think you are obviously above everyone and can decide to pass judgements.

And it is just as obvious that you realized your mother was deceased and continued to use her card and her credit.

I have no idea why you don't think was criminal activity or, for that matter, why you never stopped using the card until you could no longer make payments.

As far as passing judgment on you - yes, I this case I can because I never used my deceased parents' credit cards.

That wasn't feedback, by the way - it was an opinion based on education, experience, employment.

I'm a volunteer here - if you want a legal opinion without personal advice, retain an Attorney who gets paid to listen to your problems outside the legal question.