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Is anyones life in as big a mess as this?
Former 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:
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Comments
I bet you will find there are...
How did you get a credit card at 16?!
Lloyds TSB.. Just sent me a debit card when I went in and applied =/
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?
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
To the above, they send me letters saying I have an "Unplanned overdraft" everytime I spend more.
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.
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
mine do too. Ive been embarrassed at the supermarket checkout once or twice
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
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.)
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.
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.
http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/freedomofinformation/technical/TechnicalManual/Ch37-48/chapter40/part1/part1.htm
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.
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.
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 I wish that was the only thing I had to worry about on the money front these days 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.
: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
Are you back at home now, or living elsewhere?
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
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.
http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/