Credit score ruined by someone that is deceased?

ok this is my problem about my credit score. My mom died and i found out that she charged a couple of thousands of dollars on a credit card in my name. I can not afford to make the payments because the payments are so high. 6 months ago my credit score was 740 and now it is 586. I can pay off the credit card in early 2008. My problem is that my car is almost dead and i need a new one. Im afaid that if i go to get another car i wont be able to because of my credit score. I would be paying the bill every month ontime. Would they even consider me for a car??

to the last person that answered to my question. My mom died 6 months ago. I knew i had the card but i never used it. I found out that she used it after she died by the statement in the mail. She wrote checks in my name and signed my name. I had no idea that she was doing this. I told the lawyer I hired about it and he wont believe me about it and hasnt told me what i should be doing.

Auto finance is what I do for a living and if disputing the account doe's not work you should still be able to be approved for a auto loan.

Find a dealer that advertises Special Finance and talk to the Manager, they will be able to help you.

It seems like it would be worth it to at least try to dispute the account if you had no knowledge of it. However, if you knew of the account and let her charge on it, you are liable.

If it can't be successfully disputed, you best bet (even if it isn't fair) will probably be to pay it off if its only a couple of thousand dollars.

If you can proof your mother made the charges against
your knowledge then hire an attorney to deal with the
credit card. You'll just pay the highest interest allowed
in the state where you pay the car which can be 25%.

If you continue to pay your bills on time and pay down the debt, your score should start increase. My score varies each month even though I pay all my bills on time and in full each month.

Here is one article that offers some times to boost your score:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Ban...

I would guess that you could still get a car loan, but the interest rate may be higher. Continue monitoring your credient score and hopefully it will improve quickly.

Good luck!

Before thinking about a new car you should deal with this first. I agree with the other repsonders concerning your knowledge of the charges. What I'm curious about is how long ago did she pass away and why are you suddenly now seeing these charges? Did you not look at your statements? If she did in fact use a card in your name without your knowledge then you need to dispute all of it right away. Teh timing of all of this seems a little odd though.