My 13 Year old child received a debt letter

CmdrX3

First off my apologies if I've posted this in the wrong place.

I have just received a debt letter from Intrum Justitia addressed to my son asking for payment of a Paypal debt for my son who is 13 years old. Obviously he has signed up to paypal lying about his age. I just want to know where I stand. I certainly have no intention of paying this as I don't believe he should be able to use an account in paypal, without at least some verification of his age. I am basically asking if:

a. I am liable for this debt (I signed nothing or approved nothing)

b. Is my son liable for the debt even though he has obviously no income and is a minor.

c. Can they try to take the money from my bank through my own paypal account which is listed at the same address with my own name (and is in good standing), and if so can I reclaim that through the court.

If my child had damaged someones property, I would be willing to pay for damage, however in this case I believe Paypal have been negligent in allowing their service to be used in this way.

Renovatio

Hi, since your son is over 10 years of age, he is criminally responsible for his actions.

If he has lied on an account application, contravening Paypals T&C's, it is not their responsibility. If he has actually obtained goods by deception, you will have additional issues to deal with.

littlepinkstars44

I done this once when i was about 14/15 with a catalogue account, lied about my age
My mum phoned them up and they just cancelled the whole thing

littlepinkstars44

Renovatio wrote: »

Hi, since your son is over 10 years of age, he is criminally responsible for his actions.

If he has lied on an account application, contravening Paypals T&C's, it is not their responsibility. If he has actually obtained goods by deception, you will have additional issues to deal with.

The age of criminal responsibility is 8! not 10!
we done this is law on Monday!

c6h4m1

It's 10 in England. And it's "we did", not "we done".

littlepinkstars44

c6h4m1 wrote: »

It's 10 in England. And it's "we did", not "we done".

well i say done.

well it's 8 here

bandraoi

Renovatio wrote: »

Hi, since your son is over 10 years of age, he is criminally responsible for his actions.

If he has lied on an account application, contravening Paypals T&C's, it is not their responsibility. If he has actually obtained goods by deception, you will have additional issues to deal with.

This is contract law not criminal law.
He isn't responsible, minors can't enter into contracts.

Burlesque_Babe

with credit card and loans, anyone under 18 should not, by law, be given access to credit. The person is regarded as a minor and the creditor is at fault for breaking the law and the child can't be chased (nor can the parents)

It depends on Paypals rules. Do they say the minimum age is 18? If so, I think they are at fault, for not verifying his identity.

Put a letter in the post to Intrum stating that he is a minor.

Peekay32

How much is the "debt" for?

SamanthaA

I`d ring paypal & explain,make some kind of deal with them, THEN make the little DARLING pay it anyway - through chores, paper round etc.

He was `clever` enough to do it, its his responsibility! Paypal may be lax in their security, but they didn`t ask him to sign up fraudulantly(sp)!

Sounds harsh, I know, but so are the big bad debt companies out there.

poppy_f1

littlepinkstars44 wrote: »

The age of criminal responsibility is 8! not 10!
we done this is law on Monday!

in scotland its 8, in england its 10