What is my liability I was a nanny for a family that gave me a credit card to purchase whatever they or my child needed?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What is my liability I was a nanny for a family that gave me a credit card to purchase whatever they or my child needed?
Before quitting my boss and I sat down to order some things on and discussed her helping me out with Christmas items. Now that I’ve quit she’s trying to hold me responsible for charges she authorized. I never once signed her name and I always made sure her information was on the billing section even though it was delivered to my home. I even have gift receipts and notes from her. Also, when I quit, I sent the credit card back to her certified mail. I quit due to her husband being too interested in me when his wife was not around. I am a single mom, I don’t need this in my life, I’ve done nothing wrong but try to support my child.
Asked on November 4, 2015 under Criminal Law, New Jersey
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Legally, if she authorized the charges, you are not liable for them. Practically, it may come down to (if she sues you; you don't have to pay unless she sues and wins) who the court believes: you or her. If you have documentation, as you indicate, showing a pattern of charges over time with her kept "in the loop" on them, it will be difficult for her to credibly show that she did not authorize them: after all, if they were unauthorized, wouldn't she have taken action (fired you; canceled credit card; filed police report; sued you; etc.) after the first charge?
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.