Under Age!

lee1518

I'm 17 and my partner (just to try without me knowing) had my debit card and applied for a mobile phone contract online, and put my my date of birth so it says im 18. They have accepted my order and are sending me a handset and im signed to the contract, but how will this affect my credit rating in the future, and what happens when I turn 18? I did not want this to happen :mad: , and now it could mess up my credit file.

PLEASE HELP!

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Jon_01

You could send it back and explain (they'd need to see your birth certificate), the acc would be canceled and their be nothing on your credit file.
Or, as long as you (or her) keep paying the bill there wouldn't be a problem.

If things do start to go wrong through, she has committed fraud and that could come back to bite her (I work as a fraud investigator with one of the networks).
Your safest option is to call them when it shows up and get it returned (and have strong words with her as well).

proplusplus

just contact the company and say it was fraudulently opened.

or advise them you're under age.

you have 7-working days to return the handset provided it was purchased 'at a distance' i.e over phone/internet. probably the best option.

credit-check should have declined based on your age anyway. doubt it will actually affect your credit rating provided you don't miss repayments.

proplusplus

lee1518

Errr. Ok so what if it went over the period of returns and i was stuck in the contract :eek:

Would the mobile operator take me to court and would it be classed as fraud, because it says im a year older ? Even if I did pay the line rental per month.
And what would happen when I turn 18?

Thanks for the help

4pudding

Do you want the phone or not?

If not, then you can only phone them and explain. You will not be stuck in the contract, as you did not make it, but they may choose to pursue your partner through an action for fraud.

If you do want the phone, then keep it and make the repayments. Nothing will happen when you turn 18 - except you can call them and give them your real date of birth if you wish.

Jon_01

lee1518 wrote: »

Errr. Ok so what if it went over the period of returns and i was stuck in the contract :eek:

Would the mobile operator take me to court and would it be classed as fraud, because it says im a year older ? Even if I did pay the line rental per month.
And what would happen when I turn 18?

Thanks for the help

Lee, you can't have it both ways.
You can't play with the phone for a while and then send it back claiming it was taken out fraudulently. If you didn't order it and are under age you need to contact the network, you shouldn't even open the box.
If you use it and then try to return it the fraud dept will want to know why you've used it and why you didn't call when it showed up.
You've admitted you know what's happening and who's done it, the network could conceivable take action against your partner for fraudulently using your info.

I work on these accounts all day, we have access to all kinds of data and info, if you try it on the odds are you'll get found out.

bagand96

The contract may have a cooling off period whereby you can change your mind (I think most mobile phone contracts do, especially if ordered online due to distance selling regulations). If you do have a cooling off period then just call them, tell them you have changed your mind, and don't want the contract. As long as you haven't opened the phone, send it back and all should be fine.

I would imagine this being dependent on the phone not being opened or used. If you have gone over the returns period as you state above, then you may have to come clean and the mobile company would be well within the rights to pursue this as fraud.

garybuk

Surely the contract is not enforceable because he is under 18. Just return their product and write them a letter.

McKneff

I think i would aslo be looking a bit closer at my partner, he/she took your card
(theft, deceipt) ordered a phone and falsified information (id theft, lying) left you worrying
and posting on here.

proplusplus

bagand96 - cooling off period is 7-working days under distance selling regulations.

The contract is not legally enforceable until he is 18. But i'm not sure that the charges cannot be recovered if the OP is knowingly using the handset and then tries to use his age as a defence to avoid paying the bills.

proplusplus

lee1518

Good news, the phone delivered today, and I've rang the phone company and they said they will cancel the contract if I return the handset :j

Thanks for the help

I didnt realise that there was a returns :S

:T

I could afford it but I have a contract that comes out of my account thats in my dads name so it wouldnt be best