Sons partner has run up debt in his name

[KitKatfortwo]

DS has just uncovered thousands of pounds of debt he knew nothing about, all in his sole name. Can anyone tell us what would happen if he went to the police, what might she be charged with if anything?

I would definitely talk to the police, if I were him.

It's awful, it's knocked us all for six and DS is in bits. Think he's worried she'll go to prison and there's a baby in the middle of it all so can understand his hesitation, that's why we wanted to know what the charge is likely to be do we can research likely sentences and DS can make a decision from there.

If he doesn't get in touch with all the creditors and tell them he's got nothing to do with each account he will eventually, to all intents and purposes, be liable for the debt.

The police would only get involved if the creditors make a complaint. First step though is to contact those creditors.

He must not pay ANY of it - doing so would constitute admitting the debt is his. He needs to call the creditors and tell them what has happened. If possible get the GF to admit the debt is hers in writing, either email or text. Then work out with the creditors a way to get it all signed over to her. If she won't play ball, then call the police.

He's got all the credit stuff underway already, it's just the criminal side of it we don't seem to be able to find a definitive answer for. He's clearly going to need a solicitor at some point so I wonder if this is best asked there? It's obviously not black and white for DS, this is the mother of his baby and he's very hurt aside from the financial/legal implications so I think he needs to know and come to terms with what's likely to happen to her before he can decide what he should do. I just need to know what the charge against her would be so we can look at sentencing guidelines and he can make an informed decision if anyone happens to know?

He will be liable for the debt if he does not challenge this

Good to know, thank you. Is it something the police would definitely pursue then, I've seen some suggestion it may be a civil matter? DS has pretty strong evidence, he's also not the only member of her nearest and dearest she's done this to so there is proof there as long as the police are likely to follow it up.

How awful, hope DS can sort and prove has no involvement, what a terrible breach of trust, can his current partner afford to pay the debt? I say current because I can't see how anyone could trust someone again who stole from them. If you haven't seen it already, this website might be able to help. I have been in a similar situation in the past and things did get sorted eventually .
www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/identity-fraud-and-identity-theft

As far as we know she's just applied for credit cards/bank accounts with overdrafts/loans online using his details. I know DH applied for a credit card not long back and just had to tick a box rather than physically sign anything so I suppose that's what she's done.

DS works earlies so she's been able to intercept all the associated post without him having a clue, he does now have solid evidence it was her and can prove he knew nothing about it though so that's good.

The really baffling thing is she can't account for where all this money has actually gone, she just keeps saying she doesn't know There's no evidence of a drug or gambling problem so god only knows, the whole thing is a total head-fuck tbh.

That’s awful OP.

I don’t know how likely she would be to get jailed if it were a first offence. Highly unlikely I would expect.

Probably community service would be given instead.

What’s happened about the other offences?

Did she just have the baby? Perhaps she’s unbalanced? Seems bizarre she’s still playing the innocent.

I would get his post redirected somewhere safe like your address. Its awful that it was so easy to do. Poor man.

Baby is almost one, the relative she's done the same thing to apparently made her sign some paperwork to transfer the debt to her name but I don't think they're pushing for any kind of prosecution. No idea about the creditor in that instance, this has all come out at the same time and is still very recent so I don't think anyone really knows what will come of it yet.

Does she work. Is she in a position that the money can be paid back.

She does work but it's not well paid and only part time so no, she can't pay it back, or at least not for a long, long time. DS works full time but again not well paid by any means so I can't imagine who she ever thought was going to be able to pay it back. I just don't know what she was thinking, or what on earth she needed tens of thousands of pounds for, DS says there's nothing to show for it

You may find that the financial institution will only refund the money / write the debt off if you report it to the police and give them a crime number.

I have dealt with a few instances like this in a professional capacity and the police are not usually that interested in taking it further