I opened a credit account at 17

jenniferweeden123

hi,

I need advice! When I was 17 I opened up a credit account with Next to buy my mum a coat (I had the money and paid for it) and then a few months later I started shopping on it and got in a considerable amount of debt. Luckily (or not so as I have never heard the end of it) my parents found the letters and bailed me out a few years later. But not before my credit rating had taken a hit. Now I am looking to buy a house with my partner, which means I need a good credit rating. I know that it is illegal for them to let me open an account when I was 17.

Please help me!!

[Deleted User]

Did you give them your correct date of birth/age when you opened the account (or check it was correct on the agreement)?

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

jenniferweeden123 wrote: »

I know that it is illegal for them to let me open an account when I was 17.

Is it actually illegal or is it simply that repayment of any debt incurred can not be enforced? Genuine question.

[Deleted User]

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

Is it actually illegal or is it simply that repayment of any debt incurred can not be enforced? Genuine question.

The latter.

The_Boss

jenniferweeden123 wrote: »

hi,

I need advice! When I was 17 I opened up a credit account with Next to buy my mum a coat (I had the money and paid for it) and then a few months later I started shopping on it and got in a considerable amount of debt. Luckily (or not so as I have never heard the end of it) my parents found the letters and bailed me out a few years later. But not before my credit rating had taken a hit. Now I am looking to buy a house with my partner, which means I need a good credit rating. I know that it is illegal for them to let me open an account when I was 17.

Please help me!!

You don't have a credit rating. What is showing on your credit files now?

What date of birth did you state on the application to Next?

JKSandy

NEXT take your DOB when you register and they also advise you that you need to be over 18 to have a credit account.

So before you go to them, make sure you check you provided your correct DOB, as if they have it on record you put you were over 18 they may say you have done somthing illegal.

The_Boss

JKSandy wrote: »

NEXT take your DOB when you register and they also advise you that you need to be over 18 to have a credit account.

So before you go to them, make sure you check you provided your correct DOB, as if they have it on record you put you were over 18 they may say you have done somthing illegal.

If this is the case and the OP appeals that they wish to default on their agreement because of their age then surely Next will put a fraud marker on their account. This would be worse for the OP than an actual default or paying back the money they rightfully owe but seem to want to weasel out of.

matttye

The_Boss wrote: »

If this is the case and the OP appeals that they wish to default on their agreement because of their age then surely Next will put a fraud marker on their account. This would be worse for the OP than an actual default or paying back the money they rightfully owe but seem to want to weasel out of.

Re read the OP. Money has been paid back, they just want rid of the default.

Neil_948

jenniferweeden123 wrote: »

hi,

I need advice! When I was 17 I opened up a credit account with Next to buy my mum a coat (I had the money and paid for it) and then a few months later I started shopping on it and got in a considerable amount of debt. Luckily (or not so as I have never heard the end of it) my parents found the letters and bailed me out a few years later. But not before my credit rating had taken a hit. Now I am looking to buy a house with my partner, which means I need a good credit rating. I know that it is illegal for them to let me open an account when I was 17.

Please help me!!

When was the default put on? If it's nearing the end of it's life then you could just wait and save more towards the deposit, in turn lowering the amount you need to borrow.

Thrugelmir

Credit agreements for under 18's are unenforceable.

However as an aside you can be held legally responsible for any debts run up to buy things that you need such as clothing.

Neil_948

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Credit agreements for under 18's are unenforceable.

However as an aside you can be held legally responsible for any debts run up to buy things that you need such as clothing.

Yes I know this but what I was getting at, is if she had said on the application that she was 18 and the default is due to fall off shortly then maybe leave alone to prevent any fraud investigations.