How do I prevent my ex from making bank and credit card accounts using my son's SSN?

Question

As you may see from the history of my questions, my ex-wife is a financial disaster. Forever out of money, forever on the edge of crisis, forever not wanting to hold down a normal 9-5 job. But show her an "opportunity of a lifetime" or a get rich quick scam and she's all over it. And she's too old to learn otherwise.

I found out the other day that she created a bank account with my son's SSN and in his name. My son is 17 years old. This in itself is not bad since it is unlikely to ruin his credit score/history. But I know what's coming next - she'll try to create credit card accounts in his name and SSN, and then not just not pay. I know this because she continually tried to do this with my name and SSN.

Questions:

1. How was she able to create a bank account without my son present? He was unaware (unless he's covering for mom, but I doubt it) of the new account.
2. What can I do to prevent her from creating either bank or credit card accounts?
3. Is she legally allowed to open accounts in minor's name (bank or credit)?

This is in USA.

Answer 1

1. How was she able to create a bank account without my son present? He was unaware (unless he's covering for mom, but I doubt it) of the new account.

If a parent has access to the birth certificate, social security card, passport, and other legal documentation indicating family relationship along with the minimum balance, I expect either online or in-person creating a Joint Tenancy With Right of Survivorship account wouldn't be too difficult and allows for either party to add or remove funds.

Conceivably the bank account could have been created as a Custodial account but risks when the son reaches the Age of Majority on the account she would lose control.

2. What can I do to prevent her from creating either bank or credit card accounts?

If you have access to the above mentioned documents and depending on parental rights assigned after the divorce you can follow what is suggested in this link:

https://blog.smartcredit.com/2011/07/28/what-age-can-i-have-a-credit-report/

to get the credit reports. The credit reports should list what lender accounts are tied to your son.

They won't list any 'credit' assets like savings or investment accounts: http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/in-your-credit-report.aspx

As suggested a credit freeze would be appropriate. If he has reached 18 already, he can do it himself.

3. Is she legally allowed to open accounts in minor's name (bank or credit)?

Unless she under a Termination of Parental Rights order what I mentioned above should still hold.

Answer 2

Next time you are with your son, have him request a credit freeze. The choice is his, of course.