What started as something that felt like a peace offering ended up causing damage she didn’t see coming.
Her relationship with her dad has always been complicated, but a few years ago, he gave her a credit card with her name on it. He framed it as something she could use for basic needs like gas or groceries, and she took it at face value.
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It Seemed Harmless at the Time
She didn’t use the card often, and when he asked for it back about a year later, she didn’t question it. He said he was closing the account, and she assumed that was the end of it.
At that point, she didn’t have much experience with credit, so there wasn’t a reason to think anything was wrong.
The Damage Showed Up Later
A year or two after that, her credit score dropped sharply. It wasn’t a small dip, it was a major hit, around 100 to 150 points.
When she looked into it, she found accounts in her name that she had never opened. Both had high balances, late payments, and were actively hurting her credit.
The Truth Was Hard to Hear
When she pushed for answers, her dad admitted the accounts were his. They were tied to unpaid medical bills, but they were still under her name.
That’s where things shifted from confusion to something more serious. This wasn’t just a mistake, it directly impacted her financial record.
He Didn’t Handle It Carefully
She tried to get him to leave the accounts open temporarily after reading that closing them could make things worse. Instead, he closed them immediately.
He also hasn’t been clear about whether she was just an authorized user or if the accounts were fully opened in her name. That lack of information makes it harder to fix.
The Impact Is Real Right Now
This isn’t just about a credit score number. It’s affecting real parts of her life. She’s trying to rent a place with friends, and her credit is making that harder. She also planned to get a credit card for a trip to Europe, but approvals have been difficult because of the damage.
It’s Not Just Her
She believes the same thing happened to her brother, but he isn’t as concerned. That leaves her feeling like she’s the only one trying to deal with the consequences.
At the same time, her mom is urging her to take a more serious step to fix it.
The Identity Theft Question
Filing for identity theft feels extreme to her, especially because it involves her own dad. It’s not just a financial decision, it’s a personal one.
But without clear information or cooperation from him, there aren’t many options left that would actually repair the damage.
The Situation Feels Stuck
She’s tried to work through it without escalating things, but nothing is improving. The accounts are closed, the damage is done, and she doesn’t have the details she needs to fix it properly.
That’s what’s making this decision harder. It’s not about overreacting, it’s about whether there’s any other way forward.
The Question She’s Facing
She’s trying to decide if filing for identity theft is going too far or if it’s the only realistic way to protect her future.
That’s where she’s stuck. It’s not just about credit anymore, it’s about choosing between fixing the situation and dealing with what that choice could mean for her relationship with her dad.
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