conversation: User (CowboySparkles): "Link to original thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/5t1iuf/will_my_parents_buying_a_house_in_my_name/\n\n\nSorry for disappearing from the last thread, it's been a crazy weekend, to say the least. But here is the state of things as of now:\n\n\n1. **Had credit check done. Parents had opened a credit card in my name.** They apparently opened it to "pay the bills" and since my credit was good they got approved for a $8,000 limit (not sure how good that is?). Anyways, they maxed it out, and to add insult to injury, the monthly payments for this credit card *is the debt they asked me to help them with after they lost their jobs.* So if I stop paying it, they won't be paying it, and I will be the one that gets hurt in the long run.\n\n\n2. **I won't be letting them buy a house in my name.** I won't help them with rent, and I'm not going to offer to live with them to help with living expenses. At this point I'm not sure what to do, except scream at them, because they appear to be completely oblivious to the fact that their actions were wrong. When confronted, their response was just, "Well, they wouldn't let us apply for anymore credit cards."\n\n\n3. **My family will not be privy to any of my financial status in the future.** They don't get to know about new jobs, promotions, anything. From now on, all they need to know is I have a lot of debt (I do), and that I'm doing my best to pay it down (I am).\n\n#Edit:\n\n4. **I will be trying to find a way to get medical professionals involved and save my dad from my mom's care.** As stated in comments in this thread, she is blocking him from getting the medicine/care he needs. I will be looking into how to help him, either social services work, disability, reporting abuse, etc. I might just try ALL of them: whatever works to help him quickly.\n\n\n5. **I don't know if I'm going to report them for fraud...** I know this should be a no brainer, but that doesn't make it any easier.\n\n\nThank you so so much to everyone who commented on the last thread and helped open my eyes to how bad this situation really was.\n\n\nI'm really frustrated, and upset, and feel like trying to better my life has been a pointless endeavor, but I'm going to keep on keeping on, and hopefully this too shall pass.\n\n\nThank you, again. &lt;3\n\n**Edit:** Sorry for the slow response. I'm not used to subreddits that move so fast.\n\n\n**Edit2:** Well this kinda exploded on my way home from work... Thank you everyone for the continued advice, and the tough love. I'm doing everything I can to protect myself financially moving forward, based on all of the feedback I have received. "
  Self: "The problem is, the longer you keep paying the debt, the less ability you have to say they committed fraud. If you manage to pay back $4000 dollars, then can't pay anymore and tell the banks you didn't open this credit card, your case is basically down the drain. \n\nAt this point it makes sense to pay the bill until you make a decision but really if you cant pay the bills, you're killing your credit and finances to help your parents out. And once you pay too much of the debt, you're going to have to pay it all. \n\nDespite the fact that they are your parents, from the outside I see two people who screwed you over, behind your back and are now trying to guilt you (whether intentionally or unintentionally) into paying back the rest of the debts. The only reason you haven't said anything to the credit card company is because theyre your parents. \n\nIf I were in this situation I would have called the credit card company immediately and had the card cancelled. It isnt your card, I cant think of a company that would hold you accountable. Essentially its your life vs. your parents at this point. You can give up your money, risk your credit, etc. to help them out, or you can clear yourself because they committed a felony here. Personally I would clear yourself, but thats just me "
  