One of the repercussions of a bad breakup is that your ex-partner or ex-spouse may covertly use your credit card information, which may adversely affect your credit history. Also, if you have a joint account with your ex, the risks of your credit getting damaged would be higher and you may end paying huge bills. Here are a few ways you can save your credit score from ruin by your ex.
Remove their authorized user status
The first step is to take off your ex-partner’s name from the list of authorized users of your credit card. You need to call the credit card issuer and ask the issuer to remove your ex-partner’s name with immediate effect. Once this is done, your ex-partner will not be able to use the card. On the other hand, if you do not want to remain as the authorized user of the card, you can have your name removed from the account and save your credit.
Close joint accounts
If you have a joint account and both of you used the card, it might be difficult to figure out a way here. You and your ex-partner will have to work out things between you and make a deal so that both of you can use the card. You may have to make timely payments in order to protect the credit. You need to ensure that at least a minimum amount is paid each month in order to keep the credit intact.
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Change your address
If you are moving out, inform the creditors about your new address. This will help to ensure that the mail reaches you and does not end up at the old address.
Ask for a new account number
If you think your ex-partner could misuse the information about your mail and account numbers, ask your creditors to assign new account numbers for you.
Put a fraud alert on the credit report
Your ex-partner may try to open an account under your name. If they know your Social Security Number, they will be easily able to do this. If you put out a fraud alert on the credit report, retailers will be aware that your card is being misused and will take extra efforts to confirm your identity before they issue any new credit. A basic fraud alert expires after a period of 90 days.
Freeze the credit report
A security freeze will help you once the fraud alert expires. Your credit report will be frozen and banks and lenders will not be able to access the report. Hence, they will not be able to approve any applications for new credit. It will bring an end to any fraudulent accounts opened under your name.
There are still many different ways your ex-partner can bring down your credit score. You need to review your credit report from time to time in order to ensure that there are no unscrupulous activities being done with your credit card. You can inform your bank and the credit card company in case this happens. If your ex-partner opens an account in your name, you will have to submit proof stating that you did not open the account and it is fraudulent.
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