Account used in my name whilst under 18 .. help!

[lauraslw]

Hi All

 

I just joined this site after not being able to find an answer for my problem anywhere on the net.

 

Basically, I am only currently 18 and have a default on my credit score from early 2011.

 

I registered with Very when I was 16 in order to buy a dress. I can't quite remember how I signed up but do remember paying for the dress there and then and receiving it soon after. I also received a letter a few days later telling me I had a credit account for £150.00.

 

Looking back, I now know that it is illegal to have a credit account under 18? Which makes me think it must of required a minimum age which I probably entered in order to receive the dress. Anyway, being younger and stupid, my mum asked if she could buy a few things using the account which I agreed to, not really thinking into it or about the future. She informed me that she'd pay it all back and as I didn't want the account (didn't buy from Very regularly) I just left it to her.

 

Things happened at home and I stopped talking to my mum and was advised to move out by the police (can provide proof of this) and I moved on without even thinking about the account. Then around 3 months later I received an email from Lowell informing me that there was a debt of £270 which had been sold to them. I sent them an email in December 2011 which I received no response to. They sent me another email in April 2012 and being 18 now and understanding it more, I called them and explained my situation.

 

The woman stumbled over her words when I told her my date of birth was only 1994 and she informed me that the debt would be investigated for the account being used illegally. She told me they'd sent many letters to my Mum's address which I obviously never saw, so I gave her my new address so they could keep me updated. I then never heard from then again, and still haven't.

 

I've now come to apply for credit and been refused so I signed up to Experian and saw that I have a default on my score from 2011, from Lowell. I work in HR and have monthly income, and have done for the past 2.5 years. I pay my car insurance and phone bill every month without fail and so it's frustrating that I haven't even had a chance to obtain credit. (I'm aware that low age etc. is bad for credit too, but obviously having a default at 18 is bad!)

 

Is there anything I can do to get this removed from my name? I don't really have a clue about this stuff so any help you could give me would be great!

 

Thanks

Laura

[renegadeimp]

Well, the account was used fraudulently, and it seems your mum used it. Ill ask an admin to pop the thread in the credit agencies forum.

[cerberusalert]

It might be worth having a word with the ICO https://www.ico.gov.uk/Global/contact_us.aspx

 

Very & Lowell should not be processing this data.

[renegadeimp]

Make sure you get written confirmation from the company you applied credit for, that it was the default that caused the decline. If/when you get the default removed, you could be entitled to compensation too.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Hi welcome to CAG,

A Difficult situation, the default is properly placed and the debt is in your name getting this removed is going to be very difficult.

 

Lowell just leaning this as a default is odd.

 

Please do not discuss anything with Lowell my phone.

 

I suggest the following letter to The Compliance Manager at Lowell,

 

Ref: if you have one.

 

Dear Sir or Madam,

 

I write in reference to the default entry place on my credit file in relation to an account with Very (send screen print of the CRA file entry) having spoken to a member of Lowells staff back in xxx xxxx I was told that this account would be investigated as I was only 16 years old at the inception of the account and was not entitled to have a credit account I have heard nothing since.

 

Given this situation I do not acknowledge any debt to Lowell or any company you may claim to represent, as the account was misused by a member of my family after I moved from my parental home and I did not receive any correspondence reatding the assignment of the alleged debt to Lowell.

 

This default entry is causing a considerable problem as I am now 18 years old and have been refused credit, I consider that it is unfair to maintain this default entry which will hamper my ability to obtain credit until 2017 a difficult situation for a young person today.

 

As Lowell had stated that this matter would be investigated for illegal use and have failed to contact me again regarding this I believe that this is further unfair treatment.

 

Now if you can reasonably afford to make a payment and want to do so use this section.

 

I am able to make an offer in full and final settlement of the debt as a gesture of good will and without admission of any liability I offer the sum of £xx on condition that Lowell remove all adverse data from any credit reference agency files that the account has been reported to.

 

This offer remains open for 7 working days after which I shall seek other methods to remove the default entry.

[citizenB]

Thread moved to correct forum as requested.

[lauraslw]

Thanks for all your replies guys, I will get a letter drafted based on that template and send it off. Will let you know when/if I hear from them!