How do I stop them?

Ruby_Parkor

My mentally ill brother keeps racking up huge credit card debts. He owns his own flat and has no trouble getting approved for cards. Is there a way to prevent companies from issuing cards to him?

robber2

Presumably he has no trouble finding some way of paying off the cards? If this was to change he would soon find he no longer had access to easy and cheap credit.

What condition does he suffer from?

Rob

bengalknights

Is he just doing minimum payments?

The only way would be if he granted you Power of Attorney

Ruby_Parkor

That's a good point. My parents have used all their savings paying off the debts for him. Perhaps they shouldn't do that.

pogofish

Ruby_Parkor wrote: »

That's a good point. My parents have used all their savings paying off the debts for him. Perhaps they shouldn't do that.

No matter how much you love/care about them, sometimes you do need to stop enabling/cosseting them - and equally ensure your parents protect themselves and their own health and security.

Its not nice being subject to debt action but at least a credit card company will use fairly legal methods and IRC, once informed they do have to take issues like mental health into consideration when actioning debts.

Is there a local support worker/service you can contact for more up to date help and advice. Its some time since I had to deal with the MH problems of a loved one, so I'm not up to date.

Anthorn

Ruby_Parkor wrote: »

My mentally ill brother keeps racking up huge credit card debts. He owns his own flat and has no trouble getting approved for cards. Is there a way to prevent companies from issuing cards to him?

Put a notice of correction on his credit history stating the problem and requesting no new credit accounts.

In the case of subsequent debt it is arguably possible to escape the debt due to a lack of mental capacity which has already been advised on his credit history.

Candyapple

If your brother owns his own flat then I presume he pays for the mortgage – does he work or do your parents pay this also?

What is he putting down for employer’s details on card application forms?

If your parents carry on paying his debts, sooner or later (assuming he hasn’t put down that he’s earning £100k or something silly) credit card companies will either start declining his applications or offering him low credit limits due to failing on affordability checks.

If your parents stop paying his debts, he will start to rack up late payment markers and defaults and these will mean any credit card applications for the next 6 years at least will be declined.

Maximum_Saving

I imagine your parents might have bought your mentally ill brother a flat to live in. The credit card companies are being irresponsible to give him more credit cards. I think you should speak to your parents. See if they will stop paying his credit card debt. Then he will rack up rate payments fees. This will show up to wouldbe future credit card companies. You could ask speak to a solicitor to ask if you can take on a power of attorney. I have a 9 year old disabled son and know some physically disabled adults. One of these went bankrupt years ago. Therefore I think some disabled people can't handle their finances. Good luck.

robber2

Maximum_Saving wrote: »

I imagine your parents might have bought your mentally ill brother a flat to live in. The credit card companies are being irresponsible to give him more credit cards. .

Only if they are aware of his condition

Bogalot

Anthorn wrote: »

Put a notice of correction on his credit history stating the problem and requesting no new credit accounts.

In the case of subsequent debt it is arguably possible to escape the debt due to a lack of mental capacity which has already been advised on his credit history.

There's a big jump between having a mental illness and lacking mental capacity. If the individual understands what they are doing, then even if their choices are not rational or reasonable they will still have capacity.

OP does your brother have mental health support? What is he spending the money on, does he understand what he is doing?

Ruby_Parkor

The flat has no mortgage on it. He spends the money on alcohol and cigarettes. He knows what he's doing but he doesn't see an alternative. I think looking at your replies I will talk to my parents and see if they will stop paying, so that his credit rating reflects his true financial situation.

Thank you everyone for your responses. It's been really helpful to me to read them.