Hi friends,

I never thought I’d have to ask for help like this, but here we are. Asking for help is not something I wanted to do and is difficult for me. Years ago, someone close to me stole my identity and opened accounts in my name without my knowledge. I fought hard to rebuild my life and truly thought I was free from it - until I started receiving more collection notices for debts I never took on last year, more maxed out credit cards popped up on my credit report, AND to top it off a large direct transfer of $5k in cash from my bank that I did not initiate and that bank refuses to refund.

Now, I’m being told I have over $100,000 of fraudulent debt to pay—again. Funny enough, I have paid this amount and more on previous debts that this person incurred in my name. But because of how much time has passed since some of these accounts were opened, I’ve also been advised that proving I wasn’t responsible will require hiring a forensic accountant - a nearly impossible task given that much of this happened while I was still married in a cult. During that time, I wasn’t even allowed to control my own finances, making it incredibly difficult to track down records and evidence now. Everything was opened in my name using my driver's license and my social security, this person even had access to my old email.

At this point, some of the debt we were able to have cleared, but I have been advised to pay off the remaining debt myself and begin the painful process of changing my Social Security number to fully separate from this mess.

This entire situation has wrecked my credit, making it impossible for my husband and me to merge our finances for yet another 10 years. It has also taken a massive toll on my mental health. I’ve been severely depressed, feeling like no matter how much I fight to rebuild, no matter how many jobs I work, I keep getting dragged backward. We have considered all the options and gotten advice from legal counsel and this is what I'm stuck with. At one point I was working 3 different jobs to fix all of this. I have also been given a few small loans to help consolidate some of the interest of the debt but there is still quite a large chunk looming over my head. Family and a few friends, you know who you are, have helped me out in the past and I so appreciate it.

I don’t think anyone should have to help me pay for something they didn’t do, but I also know I can’t keep carrying this burden alone. I just want to be done with this, move forward, and return to my happy self.

If you’d like to support me in finally closing this chapter, any donation - no matter how small - will help me take the next step toward financial freedom. And because I believe in giving back, I’m offering one-on-ones or help of any kind for anyone who donates. Whether you need help with social media, marketing, brainstorming, or just someone to listen, I’d love to pay your kindness forward. Just let me know what I can do!