My child is killing me

MostlyBroke_2

Hi All

If anyone has a suggestion to this problem please let me know.

My credit card is held with Natwest. My son, 12 years old that he is used my credit card on this site **Link Removed - MSE Forum Team 2**

Not only will this site not refund me the money due to the fact that my card was used wrongly, but natwest has been less than helpfull as well. He managed to run up a £320 gaming debt by buying stuff with the site etc. I dont have money for lawyers etc as i am an only father.

Please if someone knows what to do or can help me please let me know as i am in BIG trouble financially because of this.

immoral_angeluk

What??? you've told them that your card has been used without your permission but they've basically turned round and said tough ***s? I'd seriously complain as that is not on!!

elona

There must be someone who is responsible and will be concerned about a 12 year old comitting theft or fraud and the site condoning it - an ombudsman perhaps?

Have you asked for the fraud dept at your credit card place?

bonnie_2

how did he get the card in the first place, to be honest i don't think you have a leg to stand on as he obviously has access to the card. How would he know what to do, i don't think my daughter would and she's 11.

CLAPTON

this is a very difficult situation.
obviously you son is responsible, but a 12 year old wouldn't necessarilly realise the consequence of his actions..how many 12 year olds would?
and of course they could argue it was you rather than your son or simply that you were negligent with the CC (rediculous in practice of course)

have you tried writing (rather than phoning) and explaining the situation.

other than that i can only think that perhaps trying to get some adverse publicity might work....maybe a Saturday or Sunday paper finacial problems page?

Smashing

Seeing as in this case there is no 'product' which can be returned -

As online shopping becomes more and more commonplace, you'll probably purchase something online with a credit card if you haven't already. More likely though, is that your children, without a credit card of their own, will want you to buy them some clothes, music, books or other items over the Internet. While you may want to just give them your credit card to save the time and trouble of having to do it yourself, we encourage you to keep your credit card and credit card numbers private.

Giving your children credit card information gives them access to shopping sites as well as adults sites with pornography or gambling. Since credit cards are not issued to people under 18, many adult sites require a credit card to verify that users are old enough to view mature content. If you provide your child with your credit card information, your child could easily gain access to inappropriate sites. Adult sites and online stores have no way of knowing that your child is using your credit card -they simply assume it is you. Regardless, you are still responsible for any purchases or transactions your child places, whether you were aware of it or not. In short, don't allow your children to use your credit card freely online unless you want them to have unlimited access to both shopping and adult content sites.

I would urge you to supervise your child on the internet and put it in a family room at the very least. Dare I ask why he had your credit card?

oops_a_daisy

Hi there mostlybroke - I have a 13 year old and I must admit she could very easily get hold of my credit card and debit card as they are just in my purse and she knows my pin numbers too as she is always with me when I shop. However she wouldnt dare use my cards for her own use.
I think you need to set your son a target to pay off his debt, sell his games console if he has one and ban the internet unless you are there. Pocket money will have to go towards paying off his debt and what about Christmas - he needs to learn a lesson the hard way by working it off. Sorry that this has happened to you just before Christmas and I do hope you manage to get it sorted out. All the best - OOPS

southernscouser

This might seem extreme but an option could be reporting it to the police. You'd at least get a crime number which would make Natwest sit up and take notice. Obviously this could have consequences to your son! Depends how far you want to take it!

Willsnarf1983

am i the only one thinking the title is a bit OTT? imagine if ur kid read that!

Will

CLAPTON

clearly we have quite a lot of people here that here that lack children and common sense and a little humility.

soon everyone they will be telling us that they lock their CCs in the family safe every evening as soon as they get home,
forbid their daughters to go out with unsuitable boys
ensure their sons dont drink until they're 18
etc etc

in real homes we dont lock up our wallets...they simply stay in the jacket pocket
and most dont supervise childrens use of the internet...how do you do that exactly? dont we trust them then? and anyway 'alt tab' hides many sins

domestic_goddess

I really feel for you, my kids could get my card details very easily. Why would you think to hide your credit card from your children. I agree that the OP needs to have a serious chat with his son but I think he will have already done that.
As far as getting the money back I would threaten the company with Watchdog and the likes and would even go as far as to contact watchdog..... More parents should be aware of this sort of thing.

If you report it to the police they would have a chat with your son and would also give you a crime reference number. Your credit card company would then look to refund the money back as the card would be classed as being stolen. In effect the card was stolen. If your card was on the kitchen counter and stole by someone who came into your house, any debts they ran up would be covered by your card. This would be too if repoerted to the police