Brother's debt collector came to my house

Anonymous
My brother is a bit of an odd character. Supposedly is a venture capitalist but hasnt make any money. Lived off my parents inheritance - he got the lions share as he is looking after my mum. Recently foreclosed on his 2.5 million dollar house and downsized to a 1.5 million dollar house. Still has a fancy car etc. I say all this to show that he still lives large. This happened in 2020 and since then a couple of wierd things have happened. We dont talk money issues with him and have a cordial relationship on the surface.

Yesterday a debt collector came to our house and asked for brother by name. Apparently he owes debt on something -( my DH opened the door and was so shocked he didnt ask details) - and hes given my address as his address.

I texted Dbro and he said it is "a mistake" since he and i have the same last name. I am livid and asked him not to give out my address.

Wierdly enough i also got another letter at my home. This was in my brothers first name and his ex wifes last name and my address. He dismissed that as well but was flustered.

Can he apply for credit cards giving false names and addresses? Hes incredibly evasive and i wont get a straight answer from him and really worried if im going to be liable for things i have no control or knowledge about.


Anonymous
Check your credit score now!
Anonymous
I did. All fine there for now
Anonymous
Pull all 3 free credit reports and review them carefully. Then go through the process of freezing your credit at all 4 bureaus.

I know someone whose father destroyed his credit and he didn't find out until he was an adult looking into student loans for college. Didn't want to prosecute his Dad
Anonymous
Who does he owe money too? I'd be more concerned that he owes money to the kind of people who show up to houses looking for it.
Anonymous
Pull your credit score but most likely the collector found you were related and contacted you. I think it’s a tactic collectors use to go after relatives get to the debtor.
Anonymous
I hope you have your credit locked. Experian and there is another. Ours are locked so that no one can attempt to get credit through us fraudulently.
Anonymous
Wont i get a notification if someone tries to open a credit card in my name?
And it looks like its still in his name (or a variation) but my address. What would the advantage be in that?

His address is on the internet so the debt collectors will be able to track him down.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Pull all 3 free credit reports and review them carefully. Then go through the process of freezing your credit at all 4 bureaus.

I know someone whose father destroyed his credit and he didn't find out until he was an adult looking into student loans for college. Didn't want to prosecute his Dad


DP. Can you tell me what the 4 bureaus are? I have 2 locks, but not 4.
Anonymous
I think debt collectors look for relatives and ask for money, don't they? It's not necessarily that your brother pretended to have your address.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I think debt collectors look for relatives and ask for money, don't they? It's not necessarily that your brother pretended to have your address.


They most certainly do not unless it's the kind of debt collector that works for the mob.
Anonymous
I do not know the answer to your question. Does he know you or your husband's SS# and DOB ?

Also, I wonder whether he gave you or your husband as references / nearest relative for any credit accounts opened in his name.

You can freeze your credit accounts.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think debt collectors look for relatives and ask for money, don't they? It's not necessarily that your brother pretended to have your address.


They most certainly do not unless it's the kind of debt collector that works for the mob.


+1 Most debt collectors don't send people to knock on doors either
Anonymous
When you apply for credit, you usually have to give a relative's name and contact info. That way the collectors can find you if you're not responding. It's called skip tracing. I used to recruit for a credit card collections organization about 25 years ago.
Anonymous
Tell your brother when the next debt collector comes to YOUR home, you will give out HIS address, phone number and anything else they ask for.
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