I had a friend put me on a credit card (Chase Manhattan) not as a co-signer but as an authorized user. This was offered by him only as a convenience for me to rent cars, hotels, etc. No money was ever taken by me. He did this for another friend too.
Well, I moved to Seattle in 2000 and didn't think anything about it.
Well, one day NCA (National Credit Acceptance) contacts me. This was in june to tell me that they were purchasing this debt and pleased to have me as their customer blah, blah and saying that a judgment has been entered against you and now the balance is
($50,630.89). You can settle with us now though for ($40,677.02) to avoid any further legal or collection steps.
I thought it was a joke until I contacted the San Fransisco court and found out that a default judgment was obtained against me. ($15,000) The difference now according to NCA is because of attorney fees and interest. That's over 3 x the original amount of judgment.
Apparently my friend decided after I left in 2001 to cash out the credit card ($15,000) in one day and declare bankruptcy. So they can't touch him but their now coming after me for the amount.
I was never informed, served, or even suspected of any court date. Thus I never got a chance to represent myself and consequently came up as the loser in the court case.
I'm now getting these subpoenas from NCA that have been directed at my building owner and now bank (Bank of America) telling them to produce records or face a contempt of court. Today my bank sent me a letter stating there obligation to comply with this subpoena unless they receive a court order ordering them not to. Basically ordering my bank to supply them with everything about me. Online banking activity, statements, etc. Now I also know they'll also have the power to clean my account out too based on others experiences.
I need to try to stop these subpoenas, talk to a consumer/credit lawyer, and go to San Fransisco and have the records pulled to find out when, how, and where I was notified to try to get another court date or just have it dismissed entirely.
Anyones advise would definetly be welcome.
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