Phone contract, in my name. Used by my ex-girlfriend

intellix

When I was 18, and my girlfriend at the time was 17. I signed up for a mobile phone contract in my name, which we were told, can be changed over once she is 18. I did ring up, and they said it had been changed to her but all that happened was the guy on the phone went online or something and changed it from Mr <my name> <my address> to Mr <her name> <my address>
After splitting up with her, (about 6 months down the line) I receive a letter saying:

<My address>
Dear MR <my Name>
We have been instructed by TELEFONICA O2 (UK) LIMITED
To collect your overdue debt of £309.31

...
Even though she was paying the bill, im legally responsible for paying this aren't I? Is there nothing I can do... someoen at work said theyre studying Law and that contractual law says it can be pushed onto the payer on the account (her) apparently.

Idiophreak

I guess you could try and argue that you had a contract with your GF wrt paying this bill...whether you can make that fly without actually going on Judge Judy is a different matter...

Have you actually asked the ex about this? Has she deliberately not been paying etc?

frivolous_fay

So have you been receiving bills?

pinkshoes

Do you have the evidence to prove it was switched over to her name? Ask your ex to pay it?

And NEVER EVER take out any sort of contract in anyone elses name ever again!

bringmeshoes

did they company do a credit check on your ex girlfriend? if not then they may not have changed the account holder on the account as it may not be possible to do this (I work for a mobile phone company and we cannot change the name of the person onthe account) if this is the case then you are still liable for the debt

terryw

bringmeshoes wrote: »

did they company do a credit check on your ex girlfriend? if not then they may not have changed the account holder on the account as it may not be possible to do this (I work for a mobile phone company and we cannot change the name of the person onthe account) if this is the case then you are still liable for the debt

Sorry to disagree with you but it is possible to change the NAME on a mobile phone contract. I know as my business partner and myself have just done this with an Orange contract.

So far as the OP is concerned, it looks as though he is in the clarts. The address has changed but not the account-holder. Did you really expect that any firm would just change your liability to someone else just on a phone call from you?
Obviously they want a credit check on the new holder-to-be as well as something in writing from them. However, you have a valuable lesson early in your adult life. Learn and move on.

terryw

skintchick

YOu could always try suing your ex in the small claims court - she does have a moral liability to pay and it is her who has run up the bill. I'm pretty certain you'd win.

bringmeshoes

terryw wrote: »

Sorry to disagree with you but it is possible to change the NAME on a mobile phone contract. I know as my business partner and myself have just done this with an Orange contract.

So far as the OP is concerned, it looks as though he is in the clarts. The address has changed but not the account-holder. Did you really expect that any firm would just change your liability to someone else just on a phone call from you?
Obviously they want a credit check on the new holder-to-be as well as something in writing from them. However, you have a valuable lesson early in your adult life. Learn and move on.

terryw

it depends on the company, i work for o2 and it's not possible to change the name on the account

skintchick

I do think you should have asked her for the phone back when you split up though. Was rather foolish not to. Have you spoken to her about this bill?

Bella79

i used to work for a mobile phoen network and im afraid if u signed the contract you are liable
when u do a transfer of ownership u the new owner usally gets a contract out in the post to sign to say the accept ownership of the contract

**woody123**

Can't the OP get his ex to sign the phone over to him and he cancel the contract somehow with the fee being as minimal as possible. I suppose it depends how long is left on the contract.