15 years old applied for credit and was accepted.

lbj_3

Hey Guys,

This is my first post to this board, albeit I was the site all the time and have benefited over again from the advice of others....

Im hoping for some myself.

We have a 15 year old who is in his problematic teens, for a number of reasons most of which we all most probably know. About 4 months ago, I found out that he had applied for and got a mobile phone on a credit contract on the internet by lying about his age on the application. I immediatley returned it, but by the time I got them to take responsibility it was three months and cost me £150 to wrap the mess up.

Ive just found out now that he has applied and got a littlewoods home shopping account, and has subsequently ordered himself another mobile phone. Im about to call them to explain the situation, but wanted some advice first. He has a bank account with a debit card from the Halifax (yes, they give these as young as 14), but how can these companies keep approving. Is there something I can do to get a comment put on the credit record or something. I dont know how to stop it.

Any advice would be great.

Regards

Lee

Mizz_Pink

:eek: is all I can say

laughing_cow

They're obviously not checking the electoral roll then as part of their credit check! - or are they even doing a credit check at all Surely his date of birth would show up? Or would his details even appear on a credit file when he's not even old enough to have it?

I had trouble getting a contract mobile a few years ago because my flat number didn't exist in the Post Office address system. No matter that I had a mortgage on the property, the mobile phone companies weren't interested until I sorted out the problem with the Post Office.

It doesn't sound like they're doing any kind of checks - not sure how you stand with this legally, hopefully someone else will be able to help here.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Well they can't make him pay for it if he defaults can they, if they didn't bother to check his age? Not that I'm saying he should default. Suspend all pocket money until he comes to his senses!

Gorgeous_George

Not really sure how to help.

You could fit a post box to your house so that you see ALL mail that arrives at your address (and stops DS intercepting his dodgy mail first).



GG

lynzpower

I agree with TS Aly.

I know through experience that people under the age of 18 can be given creit through them lying or whatever, but if the companies havent bothered to check up on their age, then tough luck to the company they lose out.

Why did YOU have to bail out? I tihnk there must be a way to get your money back.

climbgirl

ts_aly2000 wrote:

Hi OP,

You're not required or responsible for sorting out his financial mess. There's not a law in the land that says you're responsible. Which ironically is why credit isn't available to under-18s.

All they need to do is start sending debt collection letters and take him to court, where they find out he's under-18 and the court will throw the book at the company.

It does make you wonder if the bank's claims that they are responsible are really true. Or if they're just words for the sake of words. As clearly they are not.

He's not problematic. He's just being a young teenager And if anyone's daft enough to give him a credit card...... Yayyy free money.

Wow, sometimes you really post some irresponsible advice TS. I'd certainly try and call Experian and Equifax to check his credit report and see if they can put something on it for the banks. I don't know if this is possible, but it's worth checking.

While you can wait until they send out default notices and take him to court, his credit rating will be screwed in the meantime (incorrectly yes, but difficult to get changed back to a nice clean sheet once it's done. Ask anyone who's been a victim of ID fraud). And he might not care about that as a teenager, but he probably will later on in life.

file_wizzard

ts_aly2000 wrote:

He's not problematic. He's just being a young teenager And if anyone's daft enough to give him a credit card...... Yayyy free money.

What a constructive and responsible post that is!, teenagers don’t think rationally!

As far as a real solution go's then as stated by previous posters the company’s involved have no chance of recovery as the contracts are unlawful.

In term of stopping it again, the only way of controlling this is to place a Category "0" CIFAS flag https://www.cifas.org.uk at your address, this will force all lenders to undertake manual checks on I.D when credit applications are made from your address, this will obviously inconvenience anyone else in the household when they make credit applications, however it is small price to pay for the peace of mind if your worried he might do the same thing again.

lynzpower

thanks for that file wizzard

we have had something similar happen in our family where the person involved took out debt before 18.

It wasnt enforceable, but their parents took it over before it got to court so the parents started paying it back, as they didint realise its not enforceable.

Eager_Elephant

Hi

I am really sorry to say that your son is liable.

I haven't got my book of knowledge to hand but it is to do with contract law and people under the age of 18 who sign up for credit for everyday goods that make them liable. Unfortunately a mobile phone is an everyday good.

When I go into work tomorrow I will check their book and then come back and quote the rules.

I agree with some that the banks have acted irresponsibly but maybe your son should take some responsibility for his own actions. Why should he not pay for these things?

I am sure if you brought it to the creditors attention they might no pursue but there again why shouldn't they.

I'm sure your son would buck up his ideas if a debt collector turned up on the door.

EE

P.S Sorry if i have said anything out of turn but I am only giving a different viewpoint.

david_hellier

Although technically your son is liable for deception, the banks, yet again, have shown negligence in not checking. Let them have their day in court and face the consequences. But it wont get to that. Don't be obliged to bail him out.