O2 bills

Lottie224

Ok, so this is slightly complicated so bear with me (first time poster too- sorry!)

So my friend got herself in a bit of trouble and had to move out of her home, she lost nearly everything... Her credit rating wasn't fab and mine was a lot better so she asked me to take out a contract with O2 in my name that she could use and pay from her bank account... Me being a nice person, I said she could have a go but she would absolutely have to keep up payments as I absolutely cannot afford to pay for three mobile phone contracts and she agreed this would be fine and she could do it... So this works for about three months and suddenly I get nothing from her, she went completely off radar and 2 weeks later I suddenly get a phone call saying she didn't want the contract anymore, couldn't afford it etc etc which meant the payment bounced, I get a letter from O2 telling me I must pay the bill of £25 otherwise it would be referred to a debt collection agency, which I'm not thrilled about.

I'm a little stuck on what to do, I've got the phone and sim from her so she can't mess me about anymore but I can't pay the contract off... Will they let me pay the bill off when I get paid next week and then cut down to their lowest tariff or am I just going to be lumbered with this contract for the next 20 odd months and face this going on my credit score?

Silk

Lottie224 wrote: »

I'm a little stuck on what to do, I've got the phone and sim from her so she can't mess me about anymore but I can't pay the contract off... Will they let me pay the bill off when I get paid next week and then cut down to their lowest tariff or am I just going to be lumbered with this contract for the next 20 odd months and face this going on my credit score?

They won't cut the tariff ....bulk of the cost will be the cost of the phone so try to sell the phone to put towards paying the contract off or try to find someone else to take the contract over

ZhugeEX

Sell the phone. Use the money towards the bills

Tell your "friend" to pay you back

Never take out a credit agreement for someone else in your own name.

19lottie82

Hi, unfortunately as the DD has bounced, then there will already be a mark on your credit file. I'd advise you to pay it ASAP and keep up the payments until the minimum term is up, then hand in the relevant notice to cancel, which will be detailed in the T&C's of the contract.

O2 MIGHT let you downgrade the tariff, but I'd doubt if this will be the case within the first 12 months, as the tariff costs are there to subsidise the cost of the "free" phone. If you ask them, they should inform you if you can downgrade, when, and by how much.

In the short term, I'd advise seeing if you can find anyone who will be willing to take the contract on in their name (bearing in mind they will need to pass the credit check), but if not, sell the handset and put the money towards paying the line rental.

Sadly, you've learnt the hard way........ never take out a credit agreement for anyone else, unless you're prepared to cover the payments and write it off as a gift.