I was given a Credit Card at 16 years old....

strugglingbigtime

right i see there's a lot of people giving me a 'hard time' for lying etc.. and fair enough thats rightly so..

but.. not that it actually matters to anyone.. i was homeless at the time and living in hostels.. my parents wanted nothing to do with me and i had no family who cared.

so when someone says "hey fancy a credit card" and you stand there thinking "hmm maybe i could afford to eat this week then" you kinda go along with it and see what happens. desperation makes people do desperate things, and in this case that's what happened.

I had no regular credits (wages etc.) and I was only receiving benefits at £45 odd a week. So to all those who are saying "serves you right for being stupid" - fair enough, but no need to kick someone when they are down!

In my opinion, it is the banks responsibility to ensure that not only am I eligible to apply for credit, but to also ensure that I can afford repayments - both of which they did not do. regardless of wether or not i lied on an application form, the bank could and should of checked all the details.

as i previously said: I already had an account with the bank, and the card was applied for in connection with the account, so it would not of been difficult for them to check my application.

i really appreciate everyone's opinion and comments, but could do with less of a kicking!

jonesMUFCforever

I for one do not believe a word of what OP has said.

It would not happen without some fraudelent activity by him.

dfh

The best thing is to take it up with the bank and see what they say.

oscar52

strugglingbigtime wrote: »

right i see there's a lot of people giving me a 'hard time' for lying etc.. and fair enough thats rightly so..

but.. not that it actually matters to anyone.. i was homeless at the time and living in hostels.. my parents wanted nothing to do with me and i had no family who cared.

so when someone says "hey fancy a credit card" and you stand there thinking "hmm maybe i could afford to eat this week then" you kinda go along with it and see what happens. desperation makes people do desperate things, and in this case that's what happened.

I had no regular credits (wages etc.) and I was only receiving benefits at £45 odd a week. So to all those who are saying "serves you right for being stupid" - fair enough, but no need to kick someone when they are down!

In my opinion, it is the banks responsibility to ensure that not only am I eligible to apply for credit, but to also ensure that I can afford repayments - both of which they did not do. regardless of wether or not i lied on an application form, the bank could and should of checked all the details.

as i previously said: I already had an account with the bank, and the card was applied for in connection with the account, so it would not of been difficult for them to check my application.

i really appreciate everyone's opinion and comments, but could do with less of a kicking!

I admire your tenacity - alot of people have already given up posting at this stage because of the PC brigade who consider banks to be faultless - incidentally, the mahority of these people come from well off backgrounds with relatively good incomes. You will get used to the insults if you stick around, and there are people here that will help. In writing this post, someone has more than likely already stated desperation is no excuse - someone who probably has never been at that stage.

strugglingbigtime

@dmg24... I have paid back well over what I have borrowed in interest alone, so I dont think it is ok to borrow money and not pay it back... 7 years of interest at @ 27.9% adds up

dfh

You could also approach your local CAB and seek advice.Unfortunately,everything that is said on this board is mere speculation and it is only when you move forward with some action like talking to the bank that you will know where you stand.

strugglingbigtime

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

I for one do not believe a word of what OP has said.

It would not happen without some fraudelent activity by him.

hmmm... well why bother posting a reply? every word i have wrote is truth, so no point in accusing me otherwise and trying to distort this thread!

strugglingbigtime

thanks dfh and oscar52,

and unfortunately it seems you are right about some of the people on here... just asking for a bit of advice... and WALLOP!! get smacked in the face

real1314

strugglingbigtime wrote: »

@V.Lucky - good point... however is it not the responsibilty of the bank to ensure that I am eligible to apply for credit? is this not irresponsible of them?

should they of checked my age? - YES
could they of checked my age? - YES
did they check my age? - NO

Do any of their failings amount to an act of deception? - NO

Should you have told the truth? - YES
Does this amount to an act of deception? - YES
Are you now intending to use this act to attempt to cause a loss to another? - YES
Would this come under the Fraud Act 2006? - YES

Do you want a criminal record? - I'll leave you to answer that one.

RobertoMoir

strugglingbigtime wrote: »

thanks to all replies!

ok, in theory I did 'lie'... but neither banks actually asked for any proof of age or anything. in fact i already had an account with the bank (with my real DOB) and they offered the card to me.. so they could of checked easily.

and yes i have spent on the cards since turning 18, my question is if the original credit agreement is void.

I do see the point that atwitsend made, and realise that they might turn round and say.. "well we will report you for fraud/deception" etc.. buts thats a different question all together.

So what you're asking is "Is it ok to commit fraud then walk away without any implications?"

I'm sure you already know the answer to that really.