My brother committed identity theft. what can I do?

Question

So this is kind of a complicated family issue that we have going on. I am extremely upset at how all this unfolded. My mom use to run a business and was on a verge of filing for chapter 7 not that long ago until I bailed her out and paid off all of her debt which was about $30k. I have a lot money stashed in my brokerage account but it still took a lot out of me to shell out $30k. Her credit still took a hit after months of delinquent payments. Fast forward to today, we were re-building her credit score back up to where it was and then I noticed my dumbs older brother opened 3 credit cards under her name and one of them is already 3 months past due of $200 and that dropped her score right back down by 200 points! I was LIVID! My brother is 2 years older than me, dirt broke, still mooches off my mom, and now is stealing money from her and opening credit cards under her name - ruining her credit score with no care in the world. My mom told me that she gave him her social for whatever reason - I told her many times to not trust my brother because I know what kind of person he is. He was sued before for stealing $30k from his employer. So I know what Im talking about when it comes to my brother. How can I go about this? Can I file a report to my local police and will they do anything about it since my mom was the one who gave him her social?

Update:

I am so upset. I bail my mom out with my own money that I earned to help her get back on her feet and she just gives someone like my brother her social and all her bank information. Granted he is family, but that does not apply in this situation when u know his background. So pissed off at both of them!

Update 2:

Thank you for your honest answer. I am reaching that point because I am fed up. And It would be a lie if I said that thought did not cross my mind at one point or another. Im sacrificing my well-being for my mother and the stress is becoming unbearable, especially because she never listens to me. My mom is a single mother and I want to help her as much as I can but she should know better than this. I will take your advice to heart. thank you

? · Answer

take your mother to the police to file a criminal report, and report it to these credit card agencies, that they are all fraudulent show them the police report then file criminal charges for fraud and what not.

Anonymous · Answer

You can try to file a report, but since you are not the victim, you can't press charges; your mother must be the one to press criminal charges.

Do your brother a favor and encourage your mother to press charges.

Anonymous · Answer

If your brother is the criminal, then why are YOU posting anonymously ?

? · Answer

You DO NOT owe your Mom anything other than to be sure she gets food, a roof over her head and medical treatment when needed.  That's job #1.  Job #2 is hiring a bright young attorney and talking all this over.  He will advise you on what you can do, what you cannot do and what you should do for your Mom and to your brother.  Then do it.      btw  If Mom ever goes into a retirement home under medicare or medicaid, the nursing home will have claim on all your Mom's assets going back FIVE YEARS.  That is a big potential problem right now.  The nursing home could get your brother arrested for stealing THEIR money.  Get that young bright attorney right now.

Ron Akia · Answer

Unless you have power of attorney for your mother, it's up to her to file a police report. And, she should do this as he has committed fraud by opening credit cards in her name.

? · Answer

File a Police a Report. Identity theft is a crime, and if a family member steals your identity, you are that crime's victim. ...
Alert Credit Bureaus. ...
Contact Creditors. ...
Change Your Passwords. ...
Consider Freezing Your Credit.

Brian Mcilwee · Answer

If your mom KNOWS that your brother is every bad word in the book, but STILL gave him her SSN..then you can say she is not in complete control of herself and have yourself appointed as her Conservator. That way you can control what is happening with her accounts, credit rating etc...and make certain there is something in place to take care of her on the off chance that something happens to you before it happens to your brother.

Get this reported to the police, also. If she won't...that is another reason you can say her judgement is faulty.

Get this reported to the police, also.  If she won't...that is another reason you can say her judgement is faulty.

babyboomer1001 · Answer

Your mother needs to report it to the police.  She can say she had no idea what he had in mind when she gave him her ssn.  Still, a mother on the ball would have asked why he wanted it.  I hope your mother is repaying you everything she can monthly.  You should not be bailing her out.  She is a grown woman - she ought to be able to budget and live within her means.  Don't give her any more money.

? · Answer

Call all 3 credit bureaus and put a freeze on her credit. That will prevent the opening of any new accounts. Cancel the cards that he opened and turn his a$$ in to the police for identity theft. Send letters to all 3 bureaus citing the theft.

Anonymous · Answer

Sure you can report the crime to the police.    But I'm guessing nothing is going to happen.   If your mom was upset about this, SHE would be going to the police.

Your mom is a grown adult and she seems fine having your brother mooch off her and take advantage of her.   And you seem fine having your mom take advantage of you and mooch off you.

If I were you, I'd tell mom and brother, "I love you, but I'm done here.  You are both adults and are responsible for your own behavior."    And neither would get anything from me except hugs, invitations to Sunday dinners and a birthday gift worth no more than $100.

Divorce yourself from their finances and toxic behavior and let them live their lives.   They are not your children to fix.

"So pissed off at both of them!"   I understand, but let it go.  They are big boys and girls and you are not their mommy or Master Righter of Wrongs of the Universe.   Be done.

There's an old saying...don't be surprised when the gorilla eats the bananas.   Your mom and your brother are the gorillas.   You need to keep your own bananas safe and secure or they will eat them all and come back for more.

My brother committed identity theft. what can I do?

16 Answers