Child’s account & overdraft

Brookec2117

Looking for some advice please, I’ve searched the internet for weeks and can’t find any help. 

My mum opened me up a child’s bank account with Lloyds bank when I was around 14 years old, she had full access to my account to see what what going in and out etc… 

I didn’t swap to an adults account until I was around 18/19 years old. 

Fast forwards (I’m now 24) and I’ve been receiving letters and phone calls for a while from a debt collector agency stating they have bought my debt from Lloyds bank - I suffer with bad mental health. Anxiety, depression and PTSD and had a lot going on the past few years so I’ve just put it to one side and thought nothing of it. 

Looking through my paperwork and I’ve noticed that the date on the letter from the debt collector is may 2016 (I was 15 years old at the time, 16 around a month later) and that I had taken an arranged overdraft out with Lloyds for £1050 (£30 been paid so owed £1030) however I was still in school and under a child’s bank account. 

I’ve got this on my credit profile. I’ve been declined for houses etc because of poor credit but to my understanding Lloyds bank should of never given me an arranged overdraft when I was 15, still in school and under a child’s bank account. 

I have put a complaint in. However not sure on what I want to happen to move forward from this as I can’t remember taking any overdraft out, but this is causing me a lot of distress. 

Has anyone else been in the same or similar situation and what did you want the outcome to be? 

Thanks! 

moneytorques

What was the account called called before you transferred to an "adult account"?
Are you suggesting that your Mum opened an Overdraft on your "child account" on your behalf?
For an overdraft,a credit check would have been performed and highly unlikely you had a "credit score/profile" at 15 years old so something doesnt quite add up here.(Im sure Credit is only provided to 18 year olds).

You need to clarify what you want the resolution to be not what others would want so you can pursue that accordingly.

Brookec2117

No definitely not. My mum would never of taken an overdraft on my account, she is as shocked as I am regarding this matter and has made her own complaint as she was never aware that an arranged overdraft was given to me. 

The account was under a ‘young saver’ 

I’m just slightly confused on what I need to request to get the matter sorted if you get what I mean. These things confuse me and I’ve spent weeks looking for some sort of answer however no one seems to of had the same issue. 

Nasqueron

Banks don't offer credit to under 18s as the debts are normally not enforceable 

Are the debt collectors referring to the date the account opened / changed by mistake?

A debt from 2016 should not be on your credit record now unless they got a CCJ after 2019.

You should formally complain to Lloyds and the debt collectors

Brookec2117

No the date is when the agreement was made for the arranged overdraft I checked with the debt collectors just to make sure. 

I know no child should be given overdrafts or credit but unfortunately I was given one - £1050. 

they is no CCJ but definitely is on my credit profile. 

I’ve complained to Lloyds so I’ll do the same to the debt collector 

Flugelhorn

the bank need to look back at the application for the account and the overdraft - maybe they had your birthdate wrong.

Did you withdraw / spend the money?

born_again

Have you ever received anything about this debt prior to these phone calls? 
Unless you moved & never updated your contact details with Lloyds. Even then that would make no difference.
If not then unless a CCJ was registered 2019 or  later then this would be statute bared anyway. While they can chase then they can do nothing more.

Brookec2117

Flugelhorn said:

the bank need to look back at the application for the account and the overdraft - maybe they had your birthdate wrong.

Did you withdraw / spend the money?

The bank told me because it’s with a debt collector it’s them I need to discuss it with - then spoke to them and I was told to go back Lloyds hence why I’ve put the complaint in as I was getting no answers. 

My mum and myself went to Lloyds branch when I was 14/15 years old, and we gave them my passport. My birthday was correct  

I believe so. I can’t remember even taking it out or asking for it so I have no idea but according to Lloyds and my debt collector agency and I owe the money so it must of been spent. 

Flugelhorn

this is really difficult for you and clearly need to get to the bottom of it. My kids are a bit older than you and they opened bank current accounts when they were teens, the accounts were specifically for youngsters there was no way they could have had an overdraft on it - they were not eligible to sign for such. When they got to 18 the accounts were converted to adult (student) accounts. 

Brookec2117

born_again said:

Have you ever received anything about this debt prior to these phone calls? 
Unless you moved & never updated your contact details with Lloyds. Even then that would make no difference.
If not then unless a CCJ was registered 2019 or  later then this would be statute bared anyway. While they can chase then they can do nothing more.

No I’ve heard nothing from Lloyds, my address and number have always been updated as I still bank with them it’s just my account was changed from a young saver to an adult current Account. The first time I heard anything was from a letter and a phone call from the debt collectors. 

I’ve spoken to the debt collector today and they have put a complaint in on my behalf too. 

EssexHebridean

Is it worth the OP just following the usual "Prove it" letter protocol on this? I'm genuinely wondering whether the fact that they bank with Lloyds now might be a red herring here, just a straight coincidence? 

OP - I take it that the current account you are using now is that same account as the one you originally opened as a child, yes?