PayPal Debt from my Teenager!

2e0arr

EachPenny wrote: »

It is likely that a Police investigation coupled with the computer records would identify that someone within the houshold had created an account using false details and then gone on to obtain services without the intention of paying for them. There is a long list of potential offences that could have been committed here.

But as masonic says, there is no need for a conviction for your name to get on the naughty list, and once on it, you would need to prove why you shouldn't be on it, and may only be able to do so by implicating others.

If companies were not allowed to protect themselves from this kind of situation then every under 18 year old in the country would be at it, some of them at the request of their parents.

I think you are quite right. Chances are they will be caught red handed logged on to the paypal account.

I had no idea companies behave like this and were allowed to do this. I thought this would fly in the face of the ICO.

EachPenny

2e0arr wrote: »

I had no idea companies behave like this and were allowed to do this. I thought this would fly in the face of the ICO.

Why? The role of the ICO is to help enforce laws regarding data, their role isn't to assist people acting unlawfully, or to help them cover up their unlawful activity.

masonic

jevoudrais wrote: »

You ask me a good question, I would not suggest he say never made fraudulent claims. I would suggest he remains silent "no comment" which is lawful.

If he remains silent, then the debt will be enforced. At a minimum, he needs to inform the debt collection agency of his actual age.

I agree with you that he shouldn't go trying to challenge records that may or may not exist on the CIFAS database.

EachPenny

jevoudrais wrote: »

You ask me a good question, I would not suggest he say never made fraudulent claims. I would suggest he remains silent "no comment" which is lawful.

It is lawful, but before suggesting it as good advice you need to consider the part of the caution which states:-
"...but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court..."

Sometimes it is better to explain the truth and pay what is owed, rather than assuming "silence" will protect you from any bad consequences. Especially if there is evidence which would lead an investigation straight to your computer/games console.

It would be extremely unfortunate if posts on this public forum suggests to teenagers there are ways in which they can unlawfully obtain goods and services for 'free' without there being any consequences. That simply isn't the case.

jevoudrais

EachPenny wrote: »

It is lawful, but before suggesting it as good advice you need to consider the part of the caution which states:-
"...but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court..."

Sometimes it is better to explain the truth and pay what is owed, rather than assuming "silence" will protect you from any bad consequences. Especially if there is evidence which would lead an investigation straight to your computer/games console.

It would be extremely unfortunate if posts on this public forum suggests to teenagers there are ways in which they can unlawfully obtain goods and services for 'free' without there being any consequences. That simply isn't the case.

I agree with everything you have typed.
I would suggest to the kid say nothing without speaking to a solicitor there is no rush to explain. Take legal advise first, say no comment till then.

trinity_

Thanks everyone for your comments. I've seen a few asking why I haven't logged on and whether this is a genuine thread.
I have been between my son's bank, the debt collectors and PayPal continuously since I posted, hence not having time to log on.
I can confirm that what I put in my initial thread is true. Thank you to the person who supported my son in actually coming forward and talking about what has happened...I am pleased that he has, so we can deal with this situation with integrity.
The debt collectors and PayPal have been told he was underage and that they were given false information when he signed up. We are now in the process of verifying his age with them.
They will then put restrictions in place on all accounts.
I have been put as a secondary contact, so essentially, we're going to clear the debt....and our son will be paying us back over time:mad:
He has learnt a hard but valuable lesson in this situation.
The message we have received from the bank, debt collectors and PayPal are - it happens all the time
This maddens me, because essentially anyone, any age can sign up for a PayPal account. You just have to click a button to say you're over 18 and be 'creative' with a birth date. (The one my son used was a random one by the way).
KIds don't think through the consequences at this age. I really think there should be more restrictions / processes in place to 'vet' an account set up like this.

jevoudrais

masonic wrote: »

If he remains silent, then the debt will be enforced. At a minimum, he needs to inform the debt collection agency of his actual age.

I agree with you that he shouldn't go trying to challenge records that may or may not exist on the CIFAS database.

He or his family have no need to inform the debt collection agency anything.

jevoudrais

d123 wrote: »

Why do the words "perverting the course of justice" come to mind when I read posts like this?

They have to approach this with clean hands surely ?

To accuse someone of fraud and in the process they are displaying inaccurate data to customers who are buying their data knowldege system on the basis of accuracy is mis selling ?

jevoudrais

d123 wrote: »

And when he gets caught out lying he'll be in an even worse situation...

I don't know what law on lying he would get caught out on but what is concerning is how paypal/sony allow a child to do this.
What could a real fraudster do to them ?

Shakin_Steve

trinity_ wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your comments. I've seen a few asking why I haven't logged on and whether this is a genuine thread.
I have been between my son's bank, the debt collectors and PayPal continuously since I posted, hence not having time to log on.
I can confirm that what I put in my initial thread is true. Thank you to the person who supported my son in actually coming forward and talking about what has happened...I am pleased that he has, so we can deal with this situation with integrity.
The debt collectors and PayPal have been told he was underage and that they were given false information when he signed up. We are now in the process of verifying his age with them.
They will then put restrictions in place on all accounts.
I have been put as a secondary contact, so essentially, we're going to clear the debt....and our son will be paying us back over time:mad:
He has learnt a hard but valuable lesson in this situation.
The message we have received from the bank, debt collectors and PayPal are - it happens all the time
This maddens me, because essentially anyone, any age can sign up for a PayPal account. You just have to click a button to say you're over 18 and be 'creative' with a birth date. (The one my son used was a random one by the way).
KIds don't think through the consequences at this age. I really think there should be more restrictions / processes in place to 'vet' an account set up like this.

I'm sure it will be sorted in the end. You pay back the money, your son reimburses you (eventually) and a very valuable lesson has been learned. Even if you don't get your 700 quid back, when you look at the price of university tuition fees, £700 is quite reasonable for the financial lesson he has received.:)