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

Marktheshark

The most important advice is this :

Never let them attach the debt to him, sign nothing agree nothing.
Stay very firmly on this ground at your side of the fence.
This firm ground is that is these companies have allowed themselves to be defrauded, they are the victims of the crime, not the person who's identity was falsified.

Never let them pull it over to the other side.
They need the crime number, they suffered the loss, they are the victims.

boo_star

MDMD wrote: »

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

Unenforceable but the CRAs may link the fraudulent applications to his future (once 18) applications.

It may cause CIFAS markers to be generated.

It needs to be dealt with now rather than later even if there's sweet FA the creditors can do to enforce it.

Rrushi_Shqiptar

Marktheshark wrote: »

The most important advice is this :

Never let them attach the debt to him, sign nothing agree nothing.
Stay very firmly on this ground at your side of the fence.
This firm ground is that is these companies have allowed themselves to be defrauded, they are the victims of the crime, not the person who's identity was falsified.

Never let them pull it over to the other side.
They need the crime number, they suffered the loss, they are the victims.

Exactly what I would of said. The Suppliers of the credit are the victims and as such they need to report it. He has his Identity stolen and tbh the police probably wont do much with his allegation as he has not lost anything as he is legally not able to sign a credit contract. They can note it and report the allegation and give you a crime number. The lad should then contact the creditors; he doesn't have to but it may give you all peace of mind. The creditors may ask the police to link the reports so that it all ties together. (I am a retired Police officer, this was how it was then. I don't suppose it has changed that much.

Don't listen to the bailifs etc, they can not action this due to the age and they know that but will try to make you pay, offer the crime number and no more, do not discuss the debt apart from mentioning that the main victims are their customer.

His mother sounds like a nice lady :eek: or desperate with reasons, very sad.

Don't panic, Check his CRF's when he is 18 (month or 2 after) and check.

Aquamania

TrainGeek1808 wrote: »

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

Who does your nephew currently live with, seeing that his own mother has deserted him?

Is is father still around ???

Aquamania

TrainGeek1808 wrote: »

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.

Which address does this Sky contract relate to?

Presumably not the deserted mother's

Is it the address your nephew current lives at? If so, who is the responsible adult there? i.e what relationship exists?

Acantha

I have the feeling that the reason this is going on is because the mother has a poor credit score herself, past behaviour is usually a good indicator of future behaviour.

First of all, does your nephew have any photo ID? Who has his birth certificate and any other documents? At 17, he's also old enough for a provisional driver's license, but at his age he has to attend an interview to prove his identity with the passport office. The reason I bring this up is because the more proof you have of his identity.

With that said, I would recommend that he goes (with ID and proof of these bills) to the police. Not only can they give him a reference number that will save his credit report when he turns 18, but they will be able to track down his mother and hold him to account.

Credit has a cap before they start turning your nephew's name down, and my gut says that if she has any other children, their idenitities will be next.

Nasqueron

If you don't report it to the police it will at least hint at an attempt by two parties to get out of debts without paying - someone prepared to report his own mother for her crimes at least gives support to the claim

Ben8282

Who was actually benefiting from the sky tv and the mobile? Presumably he lived with the mother at the time and the whole household used to watch it? Who has the mobile phone now?
Sky tv and a mobile phone ...... are you sure that there is no possibility that he applied for these things himself using false date of birth?

CKhalvashi

Ben8282 wrote: »

Who was actually benefiting from the sky tv and the mobile? Presumably he lived with the mother at the time and the whole household used to watch it? Who has the mobile phone now?
Sky tv and a mobile phone ...... are you sure that there is no possibility that he applied for these things himself using false date of birth?

I'm sceptical that someone would need a Sky TV subscription at this age, as presumably this would be paid for by parents in 99.999% of cases?!

It would also be difficult to get this installed without parents finding out anyway....

Mobile is more likely, however I'm inclined to believe this is genuine fraud, especially with the comments above on the TV subscription.