Mother obtained credit in child's (minor's) name.

TrainGeek1808

My nephew has recently turned 17, and has just found letters regarding unpaid credit in his name. These have been taken out by his mother who has deserted him and moved away, basically ignoring all the debt she has run up (which I suspect she'll have zero intention of repaying).

My nephew is quite rightly concerned and wants to know what he can do to "clear his name" and correct any negative credit history he might encounter before he turns 18. He's going to the CAB for help, but anything anyone can help with would be much appreciated.

He has been to the police to report it, but they haven't done much to be honest.

Thanks in advance

TrainGeek

Stevie_Palimo

It amounts to fraud then and the Police should at the minimum give a crime reference number, He can go to said lenders and show it was not him that applied and look to have the debts removed from his name, I think this will be a long, hard and drawn out battle but if it were me I'd be 100% pushing the Companies in question to resolve asap.

GingerBob_3

It would be interesting to know which companies offered credit to a 16/17 old.


As far as the CRAs are concerned, they don't put you under financial surveillance until you're 18, so there should, as yet, be no records against him.

TrainGeek1808

GingerBob wrote: »

It would be interesting to know which companies offered credit to a 16/17 old.


As far as the CRAs are concerned, they don't put you under financial surveillance until you're 18, so there should, as yet, be no records against him.

I know an account has been set up with Sky. Not sure if money is owed to them (it probably will be!); suspect false DoB details given.

TrainGeek1808

Another one set up with O2.

Both accounts are with debt collection agencies (have seen the letters)

Stevie_Palimo

He needs to contact whoever is listed on the letter about this.

TrainGeek1808

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

He needs to contact whoever is listed on the letter about this.

Yeah, he's going to the Citizens Advice Bureau tomorrow and they are going to assist him with that.

Stevie_Palimo

TrainGeek1808 wrote: »

Yeah, he's going to the Citizens Advice Bureau tomorrow and they are going to assist him with that.

Waste of time tell him not to bother he needs to get a crime reference number and speak directly to the people who have sent letters in then check his credit report to see if there is anything listed that needs dealing with.


All the citizens advice will do is offer the above advice here, And perhaps tell him to go action fraud which to be frank are beyond useless.

MDMD

Even if we ignore the apparent fraud, most debts in the name of someone under 18 are unenforceable.

https://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/technicalmanual/Ch37-48/chapter40/part3/part3.htm#40.96

[Deleted User]

I'd suggest letters to all the companies concerned, stating date of birth, affirming that he did not sign up for these and suspects impersonation and identity theft, and asking for written confirmation that the accounts will be written off and closed.

If they push back against that, ask for proof that he signed up to them (which of course they won't be able to provide), copies of any signed documents and credit agreements, along with details of how they were signed up for (online, by phone, in store etc).

Then, if they still won't play ball, go to the relevant ombudsmen.

TrainGeek1808

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Waste of time tell him not to bother he needs to get a crime reference number and speak directly to the people who have sent letters in then check his credit report to see if there is anything listed that needs dealing with.


All the citizens advice will do is offer the above advice here, And perhaps tell him to go action fraud which to be frank are beyond useless.

Whilst he is 17, he's fairly unstreetwise, so he wouldn't know what to do. He knows someone at CAB who is going to ring them and take him through the process as he wont be able to do it himself.

Hopefully they have managed to sort things out!