Is there anything that I can do to stop a former ex and his family fromusing me as a reference?
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Is there anything that I can do to stop a former ex and his family fromusing me as a reference?
I constantly get collection calls not for me, but for and ex and his family who are using me as a reference without my authorization. I often tell these agencies to remove me as I have no information to give them; I have not spoken to my ex and his family for the past 7 years. I recently got calls for both my ex’s mother and brother regarding some fraudulent activity and are being sued. They apparently used me as a reference last year; again no contact in 7 years.
Asked on March 18, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Possibly you could bring a lawsuit seeking an order (injunctive relief) that they not use you as a reference; if interested in possibly doing this, you should speak with a local attorney who can evaulate all the circumstances in detail. However, that would be the only way to stop them from doing this, and even if possible, it's unclear whether it's worth the several hundred dollars it would likely cost.
If they ever cost you money by using your name, e.g. by fraudulently claiming you as a cosignor to a loan or party to an agreement, you could clearly sue them; however, as a general matter, if you are not suffering an actual loss, only annoyance, it's difficult to take legal action--the courts aren't set up to regulate that sort of activity. That's why I say it's only possible that you could get injunctive relief; what you are experiencing might not rise to the level that justifies or supports court action.
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