under 18 and be chased my debt collectors

keeleyuk

Hi I was wondering whether you could help

my 17 year old brother joined a gym and then lost his Saturday job and couldn't pay it. The debt collectors are now harrassing my mum and she said he was under 18. In the end she agreed to pay one payment of 10 pound and said he could pay the rest. Really she said they bullied her into it.

Is it legal to do this as my brother is under 18? The debt collection agency CARS said it doesn't matter whether he is under 18.

Thank you for your help

wherediditallgo

A 17-year old can sign such an agreement, because it's something that someone of their age would be expected to want to do & be able to agree to. It's club membership, not a credit agreement like a loan or credit card, where the 18+ rule applies rigidly. However, I think that the gym are being fools to pursue it via the credit agency, as if he doesn't have a job he can't pay it & your mum certainly isn't responsible for it unless she counter-signed to say so on the form.

Ask her or your brother to speak to the CAB - they'll help him put a letter together for the debt collectors: maybe he can do reduced monthly payments, or maybe once the debt collectors get an official letter they'll drop the matter. Your brother should be doing this paperwork - if he's adult enough to sign the form, he should be adult enough to sort this out with their help. Your mother must make sure that responsibility for the debt does not pass on to her - if she hasn't signed anything saying she'll take it on then she mustn't, otherwise it will be on her credit records.

mitty_2

I dont think you can be legally chased for a contract if you are under 18 - they are probably just trying it on!

CLAPTON

I would suggest you approach the gym in the first in stance and explain he is only 17.

He can't legally be held responsible for a contract until 18.

If that doesn't work then go to the CAB.

wherediditallgo

Take a look here , at a similar situation. I can't remember Rameses' day job, but it's on that site somewhere, & it's law-related.

keeleyuk

Thank you everyone for your help. I have a look and then m,aybe contact CAB