paypal negative balance but i’m under 18

jazzy11

Hi, i have a negative balance on 250£ but my account is closed before the guy started a dispute ( i didn’t even know there was a thing called paypal case)i couldn’t reply back since my account was closed and he won the dispute.Now paypal called me and i actually tried paying them but the payment didn’t go through.I didn’t tell them that i was underage but would leave me alone if i tell them i’m under 18?? Or would they ask for proof to confirm?? I was ready to pay paypal but it’s not working and the guy told me to wait for a dca to contact me but is there any way i don’t have to pay this debt and also i don’t want to receive letters because my parents will go mad so pls help 
thanks

HampshireH

You owe the money and you would have lied to PayPal to open an account. It's effectively fraud. You have used their financial services illegally obtained money and now owe them it.

Have a conversation with your parents and explain what you have done and then call paypal

Law and regulations are in place for a reason.

jazzy11

it’s not really fraud tho. yes i broke paypal policy and used their app.Fine. Can’t they lock my account and stop calling since i did try paying them through call but it didn’t work out and i called them this morning to tell them im a minor and she said i will have to send email proof of identification so let’s see how that goes.

sarah1972

jazzy11 said:

it’s not really fraud tho. yes i broke paypal policy and used their app.Fine. Can’t they lock my account and stop calling since i did try paying them through call but it didn’t work out and i called them this morning to tell them im a minor and she said i will have to send email proof of identification so let’s see how that goes.

It is as you broke paypals policy and told an untruth to them regarding your age. 

You now owe them money so they have every right to chase you for it which can include writing to your home address
You don’t say why the payment didn’t go through over the phone? Lack of funds?

jazzy11

no it’s not lack of funds.It’s because my account is closed and the payment will not go through. But i heard i’m legally not suppose to pay for a paypal outstanding balance as i am still a minor so what about that???

sourcrates

From the CAB website -

Debt if you're under 18

If you’re under 18 you can only be responsible for a debt if it’s for something you need day-to-day. This could include a mobile phone contract, clothes or food. If you’re under 18 and not sure if you’re liable for a debt, contact your nearest Citizens Advice.

jazzy11

@sourcrates yes that’s fine but I wanted to ask you if moorecroft debt collection (working on behalf of PayPal) has any power to get me to pay up.Do you reckon they will stop after a couple letters and if they will buy this debt? It's a negative balance not PayPal credit so I'm not sure if they have the power to purchase a negative balance. Please reply

sourcrates

A debt is a debt no matter how it was accrued.

Do they mention “their client” at all in the letter?

It’s likely Moorcroft are just acting as a collector here, send them a letter along with a copy of your birth certificate, they will drop it like a hot potato, and return the account to PayPal.

Send a similar letter to them too, that should resolve the issue.

If you’re under 18, you cannot be held liable for debts accrued in this manner.

jazzy11

@sourcrates yes currently they are doing it on behalf of paypal but i don’t think sending a birth certificate would work because my paypal name is my nickname and my account is also closed up. That’s why i wanted to ask if they would stop after 3-4 letters as they are only acting as a collector and they will only get a little commission so they can’t bother me that much (finger crossed) I also heard they can send field agent to come my house but why do that when their headquarters is 4 hrs away from me and only for a little commission? so do you reckon ignoring them until they stop is my best option?

sourcrates

PayPal will continue collection activity, even if Moorcroft return the account, it will just be passed to another DCA to collect.

You have been advised what to do, your name/nickname/account closure, is all irrelevant.

A minor cannot enter into a contract such as PayPal ask you to consent to.
Tell them that you are under 18, include a copy of some evidence of this, that is all you need do, PayPal will then cease collection activity, and that will be the end of the matter.

After that, don`t do anything of this nature again until you are old enough to understand the consequences of your actions.

jazzy11

@sourcrates yes I understand but is it 100% that paypal continue collection activity after moorcroft because i know someone who had westcott letter sent his house on behalf of paypal and he ignored them and no other dca ever contacted him. Can that not be the case for me ? i am considering sending my birth certificate but it would be nice if i was able to ignore like a friend of mine did because of my circumstances