Am I responsible for a relative's debt?

pepper241

Help please. I have been a customer with Virgin for over a decade now, with no problems whatsoever, I pay for my home phone, my broadband, my television and my two mobile phones by Direct Debit and I am not in debt to them. Two days ago I was told my mobile phone was ready to be upgraded and invited to choose a new phone, which I did, the old phone was costing me £12 per month, the new one would cost £8, the money is only important as I was refused the upgrade on account that I was deemed a credit risk! It took me two days to discover that the Insurance underwriters at Virgin had found a relative of mine owed £100+ and as long as that debt remains unpaid, I am to be deemed a credit risk. It is not my debt, I knew nothing of it until told, I have no contact with the said relative now although I did three years ago when I did him a favour and paid a bill (or something) for him using my bank details, which is why I am now being held responsible for his debt! I believe this to be unfair but what can I do? Is this right, can I be branded a credit risk because my relative failed to pay his debt? Help please.

OnTheRun

pepper241 wrote: »

Help please. I have been a customer with Virgin for over a decade now, with no problems whatsoever, I pay for my home phone, my broadband, my television and my two mobile phones by Direct Debit and I am not in debt to them. Two days ago I was told my mobile phone was ready to be upgraded and invited to choose a new phone, which I did, the old phone was costing me £12 per month, the new one would cost £8, the money is only important as I was refused the upgrade on account that I was deemed a credit risk! It took me two days to discover that the Insurance underwriters at Virgin had found a relative of mine owed £100+ and as long as that debt remains unpaid, I am to be deemed a credit risk. It is not my debt, I knew nothing of it until told, I have no contact with the said relative now although I did three years ago when I did him a favour and paid a bill (or something) for him using my bank details, which is why I am now being held responsible for his debt! I believe this to be unfair but what can I do? Is this right, can I be branded a credit risk because my relative failed to pay his debt? Help please.

1st post in almost 8 years? Well done! (on remembering the password if nothing else)

To address your question directly, no you are not normally liable for another persons debt (unless you agreed to actr as guarantor, etc)

But the issue you raise isn't about whether or not you owe the money; you've not said the creditor is even asking you to pay.

The issue you appear to have is one of "financial association", and that is what is affecting your credit.

Do a search as there are ways to financially disassociate yourself from the debtor.

(There may be other issues involved too, such as data protection, but let's not confuse matters further for you )

pepper241

I wasn't asked to pay the debt, merely told that, until the debt was paid I would be deemed a credit risk.
I didn't stand as guarantor, I just used my bank account to make one payment, so I am told, and it is because my account was used that I am now a credit risk.
How, or where do I search for the credit rating please?

OnTheRun

pepper241 wrote: »

I wasn't asked to pay the debt, merely told that, until the debt was paid I would be deemed a credit risk.
I didn't stand as guarantor, I just used my bank account to make one payment, so I am told, and it is because my account was used that I am now a credit risk.
How, or where do I search for the credit rating please?

Somewhat puzzled by the "so I am told" comment :huh:
This would imply you never authorised the payment.

Anyway, there's a nice little MSE report all about how to check your credit reports
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report

CKhalvashi

pepper241 wrote: »

How, or where do I search for the credit rating please?

Get it in writing, check credit reports, fire a complaint to the ICO and Virgin, escalate to their ombudsman.

They shouldn't be linking debts of 2 people together.

pepper241

OnTheRun wrote: »

Somewhat puzzled by the "so I am told" comment :huh:
This would imply you never authorised the payment.

Anyway, there's a nice little MSE report all about how to check your credit reports
I don't remember the event which took place in 2013, I think I probably paid a bill for my relative as a favour, I am not denying this as it is something I would do to help out, however this time it has obviously backfired upon me.
Thank you for the info, I will check.

pepper241

CKhalvashi wrote: »

Get it in writing, check credit reports, fire a complaint to the ICO and Virgin, escalate to their ombudsman.

They shouldn't be linking debts of 2 people together.

Thank you, I didn't think it would be right to link someone else's debt to me.

Ben8282

pepper241 wrote: »

Help please. I have been a customer with Virgin for over a decade now, with no problems whatsoever, I pay for my home phone, my broadband, my television and my two mobile phones by Direct Debit and I am not in debt to them. Two days ago I was told my mobile phone was ready to be upgraded and invited to choose a new phone, which I did, the old phone was costing me £12 per month, the new one would cost £8, the money is only important as I was refused the upgrade on account that I was deemed a credit risk! It took me two days to discover that the Insurance underwriters at Virgin had found a relative of mine owed £100+ and as long as that debt remains unpaid, I am to be deemed a credit risk. It is not my debt, I knew nothing of it until told, I have no contact with the said relative now although I did three years ago when I did him a favour and paid a bill (or something) for him using my bank details, which is why I am now being held responsible for his debt! I believe this to be unfair but what can I do? Is this right, can I be branded a credit risk because my relative failed to pay his debt? Help please.

This is obviously unacceptable.
In your place I would immediately change my provider for home phone, broadband, television and two mobile phones. You don't need to continue to give them your business.
Have your relative report them for breach of data protection act in revealing to you the information concerning your relative.

usefulmale

When you have sorted it out, take all your virgin business elsewhere. If they can see by their own records that you have paid all your bills on time for a decade, yet deem you a risk because of someone elses debt, they don't deserve your custom.