TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Re: Arbitration Left ID Theft Victim With $27,000 Bill

Re: Arbitration Left ID Theft Victim With $27,000 Bill

Marcus Didius Falco (falco_marcus_didius@yahoo.co.uk)
Mon, 28 Feb 2005 01:37:02 -0500

> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48753-2005Feb23.html

> By Caroline E. Mayer
> Washington Post Staff Writer
> Thursday, February 24, 2005; Page E01

> When she found out about the charges, Plowman began trying to get them
> dismissed through the collection agency, not realizing that she also
> needed to show up at the arbitration hearing. She lost the arbitration
> and had to hire a lawyer to persuade the collection agency pursuing
> her for the debt to drop its claim.

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: What I do not understand, is who put
> in the fix with the 'arbitrator'? Was it the credit card company or
> the collection agency or ...? How could the credit card company ever
> have reached a decision that the person was responsible for the fraud?
> PAT]

Her problem is that she didn't show up to contest the charges so the
credit card company got a "default judgement." These can be vacated in
court because you can appeal. But generally you can't appeal an
arbitration award.

hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com (Lisa Hancock) then noted:

> Marcus Didius Falco wrote:

>> Washington Post Staff Writer

>> Beth Plowman, a Damascus international public health adviser, was
>> shocked when she discovered that a $27,240 arbitration judgment had
>> been levied against her for credit card charges incurred by an
>> identity thief who bought sporting goods all across Europe.

>> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: What I do not understand, is who put
>> in the fix with the 'arbitrator'? Was it the credit card company or
>> the collection agency or ...? How could the credit card company ever
>> have reached a decision that the person was responsible for the fraud?
>> PAT]

> Yes, I thought your liability from a 'stolen' card (which this
> is) was $50.00?

Only if you notify them within 24 or 48 hours. She didn't notify them for
weeks, until the bill came in.

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