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Is anyones life in as big a mess as this?

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
In a lot of debt at the age of 16 on my credit card, due to online gambling, too many nights out, too many football matches (every home & away) and just can't stop spending. Been thrown out of my house, had fights with family and all but failed my GCSE's. Also, have no love life whatsoever.. :banghead:

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    In a lot of debt at the age of 16 on my credit card, due to online gambling, too many nights out, too many football matches (every home & away) and just can't stop spending. Been thrown out of my house, had fights with family and all but failed my GCSE's. Also, have no love life whatsoever.. :banghead:

    I bet you will find there are...

    How did you get a credit card at 16?!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    g_angel wrote: »

    How did you get a credit card at 16?!

    Lloyds TSB.. Just sent me a debit card when I went in and applied =/
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I had a problem with online poker which lasted for more than a year, thank fuck I'm out of that rut now
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Lloyds TSB.. Just sent me a debit card when I went in and applied =/

    How can you get into debt with a debit card?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    How can you get into debt with a debit card?

    Exactly.

    They are two distinctly different things. What exactly do you consider a lot of debt?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    £5.00 pocket money from his mummy

    I find this all hard to believe, the bit about debt, there is no way you can have a credit card at sixteen, and a debit card, cannot get you into debt without a overdraft which i believe under 18's cannot get
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I can't withdraw cash, but I can still pay for drinks with it in clubs/bars etc.. & also for trains, food etc.. It's not THAT much, slightly over £100 but to say I don't work or anything it's quite a lot for me.. =/

    To the above, they send me letters saying I have an "Unplanned overdraft" everytime I spend more.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    1. That's not a lot of money to owe.

    2. Get a job.

    3. Stop fricking spending if you haven't got it. It really isn't hard.

    The other family stuff I can't help with.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sorry but debit cards will not let you go over if you do not have an overdraft, they just get declined. i know my do anyway
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hellfire wrote: »
    Sorry but debit cards will not let you go over if you do not have an overdraft, they just get declined. i know my do anyway

    Well obviously mine does, sends me letters twice a week saying I have been given an "Unplanned overdraft" and need to pay the money back asap
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    First off, cut the card up right now to stop you using it. Then go into the bank, explain the situation, and tell them you want to set up a payment plan to pay off the money. I know it's scary confronting a problem like this but it's the only way to get it sorted. In terms of paying the money back, you should be able to find some sort of temporary or part time job to help with that - try local shops with noticeboards or local press for job adverts. Even something like delivering leaflets will be a start.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hellfire wrote: »
    Sorry but debit cards will not let you go over if you do not have an overdraft, they just get declined. i know my do anyway

    mine do too. Ive been embarrassed at the supermarket checkout once or twice :o:(

    i think your mum or dad needs to ring up the bank and ask them why the fuck theyre allowing a child to get into debt
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    StupidGirl wrote: »
    First off, cut the card up right now to stop you using it.

    Why? He cant be taken to court for the debt and his parents won't have to pay it.

    Rack up more debt i say. (unless im wrong.)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It sounds harsh but you're really in a mess of your own making, and one that will be easily solved by either;
    Getting a job
    Stop going out and blowing cash on drink which you shouldn't be drinking
    Stop lying about your age on the online gambling


    £100 really isn't a lot of money, 1 or 2 days wages for most people, work hard and you'll pay it back in no time.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    minimi38 wrote: »
    Why? He cant be taken to court for the debt and his parents won't have to pay it.

    Rack up more debt i say. (unless im wrong.)


    Once you're over the age of 16 you are responsible for your own debts, so yes he'd have to pay.

    And telling someone to rack up more debt, wrong or not is irresponsible.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    40.25 Debts owed by minors
    A debt or debts owed by a minor, i.e. someone under the age of eighteen, are only provable where they are legally enforceable [notes 25]. Enforceable debts are those for ?necessaries? which are ?goods suitable to the condition in life of the minor, and to his/her actual requirements at the time of sale and delivery?. This includes food, clothing, medicine and teaching [notes 26].


    Debts for non-?necessary? items are not legally enforceable against a minor, are not provable and cannot be the basis of a bankruptcy petition [notes 27].

    http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/freedomofinformation/technical/TechnicalManual/Ch37-48/chapter40/part1/part1.htm
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hellfire wrote: »
    Sorry but debit cards will not let you go over if you do not have an overdraft, they just get declined. i know my do anyway

    Mine did, and they whacked a £30 charge on it. 3 times. Even after I went in there and shouted at them because they never used to let me take out money I didn't have and they never told me when they were going to change that. Hence my overdraft.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I second whoever said to get a job. I was working friday and saturday nights until 2am from the age of 14, it teaches you a lot about hard work and the value of money.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    A 16 year old is not liable for their debts because a 16 year old is still legally a child. Whowhere, you should know that more than anyone else. It scares me how someone who is a policeman knows so little about the law.

    Debts against minors can usually only be enforced if the debt is for an essential item or if the lender acted in good faith (e.g. a minor misrepresents their age). Lloyds TSB cannot say they have acted in good faith and will find it hard to enforce the debt.

    You should cut up the card and seek specialist legal advice. Give Community Legal Advice a call on 0845 345 4345 as they should be able to write to the bank on your behalf explaining that you are a minor and do not owe the debt.

    As for being thrown out of your house, if you're living with friends or you're street homeless give Shelter a call on 0808 800 4444.
  • **helen****helen** Deactivated Posts: 9,235 Supreme Poster
    Hellfire wrote: »
    I find this all hard to believe, the bit about debt, there is no way you can have a credit card at sixteen, and a debit card, cannot get you into debt without a overdraft which i believe under 18's cannot get

    There's really no need for that kind of response, why would someone lie about debt, the poor guy is looking for advice. It is possible to get in trouble with a debit card, because although a card is likely to be declined at the check-out, direct debits will always go out. I didn't have an overdraft at uni, but got into financial strife because I forgot about Green Peace direct debits going out and went overdrawn and got charged :blush::lol: I wish that was the only thing I had to worry about on the money front these days :D Anyway, as Kermit says, as you're 16 - there are ways to get around it at this stage of your life.

    You might also find this article on finding a part-time job handy.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Franki wrote: »
    Mine did, and they whacked a £30 charge on it. 3 times. Even after I went in there and shouted at them because they never used to let me take out money I didn't have and they never told me when they were going to change that. Hence my overdraft.

    :yes: mine too. my own fault for not checking but as i had no overdraft i assumed that once there was no money in there it wouldnt let me take money out but it did, hence a letter saying id gone into an unauthorized overdraft and a £30 charge.

    but yeah, a job's the best bet. tbh, if all you want to do is pay off that £100 you wouldnt have to work for long but if you're having trouble not spending, a part time job would be useful
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Kat_B wrote: »
    but yeah, a job's the best bet. tbh, if all you want to do is pay off that £100 you wouldnt have to work for long but if you're having trouble not spending, a part time job would be useful
    Plus this could earn you a bit of respect from your family.

    Are you back at home now, or living elsewhere?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Kermit wrote: »
    A 16 year old is not liable for their debts because a 16 year old is still legally a child. Whowhere, you should know that more than anyone else. It scares me how someone who is a policeman knows so little about the law.


    PND's (penalty notices for disorder) can be issued to people who are 16 years and over without parental consent, court fines can be imposed in the same way.

    This is obviously different for civil debts which I don't have anything to do with, I just assumed it would be the same
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    You definitely can withdraw over your overdraft, I did it quite a few times when I was in Uni. Hole in the wall transactions aren't possible but as the original poster says, you can buy certain things and ask Helen said DDs still go out too. I learned that the hard way, for sure.

    Anyway I agree with StupidGirl, cut the card up. Once you get yourself sorted out and have a proven income you will be able to get a new one from the bank, focus on bringing your account back into credit. Is a job on the horizon? If not, I think you should think about getting one, as many others have already said. Not only will it mean you're paying into your account rather than withdrawing on a negative balance, it will mean you have things to do that aren't gambling, drinking and spending money you don't have. Also, not to sound like an old granny but it will teach you about the value of money - gambling away money you've slogged your guts out for is not so attractive. If it still is then you should look into getting some support to stop gambling - not only is it illegal but it's a very destructive habit (as you're finding out, though it certainly is in ways other than financial ones).

    This isn't the end of the world. There are people who can help you sort this, such as those Kermit has pointed you in the direction of. You need to make contact with your bank [if you haven't already] and sort out a repayment plan otherwise they'll just keep sticking you with charges.

    Good luck with it, it's an unpleasant situation but hopefully one that'll prove a learning curve. Lots of people have problems with dealing with their finances which isn't helped by the seemingly irresponsible behaviour of banks.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Maybe he's like a 30 year old...with the mind of a 16 year old! :chin:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    one debit card i had for an old barclays account used to allow me to withdraw cash from the hole in the wall despite having no money in the account and no authorised overdraft so it is definitely possible
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
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