Debts from when I was 15 years old. FOS can't help due to dates.

[Deleted User]

Okay, so as above, I had a credit agreement and debt with Next Directory.

I was 15 at the time and at school, no job or anything, couldn't pay very well, so missed a lot of payments or paid few days late = lots of late payment markers.

I say that I told them my age and DOB, they say not, but they also say they credit checked me and I was old enough, clearly I know they must be wrong as I know my own age!

FOS said I should have won my case but because it's before 2007 they can't look at it.

My question is should I now just take them to court, maybe using money claim online? :cool:

HappyMJ

I'm lost...Have you paid the debt off or is it still outstanding?

No matter what age you are you should morally pay back what you have borrowed. They won't be able to enforce a debt in court against someone who is under 18 but they can still ask that you pay the bill and will record that with CRA's such as Equifax.

It is not illegal to lend to someone under 18 but they can't enforce it so they normally turn down applications for credit from under 18's.

[Deleted User]

No I don't owe anything. Just left with negative impact on credit report.

My point is that they say I am in breach of contract, the same contract that I legally cannot sign/ agree to. It's not a utlity or something that I would need.

FOS have agreed fully with me and said they would advise them to remove data and refund interest and charges, but problem is it was 2005 and as you know FOS didn't regulate them then!:-(

mrsb83_2

If it was 2005 then it wouldn't still be on your credit report. It drops off after 6 years.

When was the default notice issued?

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the reply, unfortunately it didn't default and it's lots and lots of late payment markers (stage 1). The account was opened in 2005 and used until just before 2007, so I think it will go in 2013...

But it's really annoying me, knowing I was stupid is one thing, but when I was 15 I didn't know what a credit report was, I may have just been thick! But now I have problems because of it, if I'd known I would have been cautious, I just really didn't :-(

mrsb83_2

I doubt that 1 month late payment markers from over 5 years ago are having as much impact as you think.

What problems are you having?

[Deleted User]

Well I have about 12 missed payment markers on there from the above. It makes me feel ill to look at them all!

I also have a couple from various other things, I have now learnt my lesson!

But recently during late 2011 I have a credit card that shows 3 payments that are in arrangement. This was part of my debt free journey and I'm now paying in addition to contractual payments.

I have a really unsuitable home (shared ownership) it's costing me money by the day and I just want to buy a small house of our own (fully) - as we will soon be debt free, I'd then like to try the mortgage free challenge as part of a new lifestyle and to change from what I/we once did (big mistakes!)

Thanks

mrsb83_2

Well this is a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, and will only be visible on your report for another 5 or so months.

Whilst I understand your frustration at the unfairness of it, it's not worth wasting time on. Focus your energies on repaying your other debts - that's the best way to improve your creditworthiness.

[Deleted User]

Thank you for your advice, I think the main upset was caused when their staff were rude to me and called me a liar. It's probably the fact that I just wanted to win!

I appreciate what you say and will take that advice. So does the debt leave the report exactly 6 years after settled? For example to the month or do they round it to the nearest year, if you see what I mean?

HappyMJ

Might be 6 years and a month.

[Deleted User]

thanks! :-)