What are the laws regarding illegally obtaining credit, by lying about your age?

Question

With companies such as Littlewoods, 02 (mobile phone contracts), Book Clubs like the Fantasy & SF book club, Ikea (storecards) etc?

If the person then cannot pay the bills, and then admits that they were never old enough to have credit in the first place (for example, they were 15/16/17 or whatever and lied about their age in order to obtain credit) who would be legally responsible, and what would be likely to happen?

In the United Kingdom

Answer 1

there will be a court judgement against that person's parents. And then it will be hell after that for that person from their parents.

Answer 2

Any contract for the supply of services to a minor can be avoided: in other words, the minor can simply refuse to pay. Even when the minor reaches the age of 18, he or she can simply thrust aside any such agreements made while under age. That is the whole reason why commercial companies insist that you have to be of full age before they will do business with you.

However, if a young person cheats and perhaps forges documents in the process of obtaining credit, he can be dealt with in the Youth Court for obtaining pecuniary advantage and property by deception and, possibly, fraud. The sentencing options are:

Compensation order - when compensation is paid to the victim. This must be considered by the court before the more severe sanction of a fine. This is to be paid by the defendant if the defendant is 15 or over.

Referral order - given to those pleading guilty in court for a first offence. The offender is required to meet with a youth offender panel consisting of a YOT worker and two trained members of the community. Victims of the offence may also attend. The panel will look at the reasons and consequences of the offence and agree a contract of reparation and activity to prevent further offending. Referral orders can last from three to 12 months, depending on the seriousness of the offence. Once it has finished, the offence is spent.

Community sentences - these are for more serious or persistent offenders and include supervision orders, which can last up to three years, and curfew orders, which require the young person to wear an electronic tag.

Custodial sentence - if the courts decide that a custodial sentence is the only option, they can sentence the young person to a detention and training order. This is served half in custody and half in the community and can last from four months to two years.

Answer 3

You are legally responisble for your actions from the age of 11 years old.

You could be charged with obtaining goods and/or services by deception which is a very serious offence.

As a young female with no previous convictions it can be argued that you should not be sent to prison or a detention centre but it all depends on a variety of factors like how much the goods and credit amounted to, the extent of the lies which were told, what supporting documents if any were used to support the deception... things like this... you will need to see a solicitor if the police come knocking.. and if you can't pay your bills you to speak to the citizens advice bureau who will advise you specifically about the bills to which you refer.

Answer 4

It's called fraud I think. At 16 or 17 you get treated like an adult

Answer 5

you would be committing a number of offences - the offence of paying for a pecuniary benefit via deception, besides to fraud, and doubtlessly theft. you would be compelled to return the stability of the loan, and pastime accumulated below it. The lender could additionally be fined or somesuch via a regulatory physique. That mentioned, i do no longer think of you would be waiting to attain it besides, as there are a number of exams on hand. the 1st is a examine on your credit reference, that could have your D/O/B on it. it extremely is taken from the electoral roll, although, which you will no longer be on till you're 17. in case you lie approximately your age on the variety, they are going to locate out on the credit examine. additionally they are going to ask you, maximum possibly, to your agency's info (contained while it comes to a loan), and your agency could be asked, doubtlessly, to be sure your info. Then there is the possibility of a gap-examine via credit enforcement watchdogs. in case you probably did be able to get credit illegally via lieing approximately your age, then i does no longer attempt to wriggle your way out of your responsibilities via taking part in the 'i replaced into too youthful and did no longer comprehend what i replaced into doing' card, by way of fact: a) You of course did understand what you have been doing - as you're able to have been clever sufficient to outwit financial agency/save group who do examine the variety of component b) you would be stated the police for offences below the Fraud act c) Your credit could plummet like a meteor in water. d) people, like me, will finally end up figuring out on up the tab to your selfishness, as a effect of credit companies, telephone companies and shops having to jot down off the debt and bypass it onto their bona fide, solvent purchasers. temporarily, i does no longer try it. playstation ...and specific, theoretically your mom and dad could be to blame as your criminal guardians, even though it extremely is relatively no longer likely that a creditor could pursue them.

Answer 6

Laws about illegal things usually make them illegal.

I'm not sure of the penalties.

If you are given credit, and maintain your payments, then it will never come up.

Just make the payments.
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If you expect to default - the parrents will be responsible and if they cannot pay would be jailed.

Answer 7

Any contract with a minor can be voided. If they were an adult and did that, it would be called fraud.