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Original poster

My sons mum has used his name to get credit without him realising

25 replies

BlingersMcBling · 28/03/2023 22:05

When my son was 18 he said his mum (we are separated) asked him to record a video saying who he was etc and giving his address and said she needed it as evidence of where she lived or something to get some credit. He thought it was weird and maybe he was a bit naive but he forgot about it and moved on.
Fast forward a few years and I got him to sign up to a credit agency as he wants to get something on credit for the first time. On there is his mum as a financial connection with a loan of £5000, which has defaulted and is still open with a balance of £4500.
He knew nothing about this. It says he has no missed or late payments but obviously this is on his credit report.
She has always been crap with money and I wouldn't put it past her to con him like this.
Does anyone know what this means and if it will have an affect?
I haven't confronted her about it yet as it will cause issues for him as he lives with her, I'm not sure what to do.
Thanks for any help.

OP posts:
talkitup · 28/03/2023 22:20

So, from reading your post, your son is a minimum of 21 years old. I really don't think it's your place to be saying anything to his mum. If your adult son wants to take this up with his mother, that is up to him.

Fairydustandsparklylights · 28/03/2023 22:27

That is disgusting behaviour. I’m not surprised you want to confront her. Is your son able to move in with you if it blows up if he says anything to her.

CombatBarbie · 28/03/2023 22:29

Well DS needs answers from his mum. I'd be wanting to clarify if he is the guarantor of said debt or its a financial link only, this can easily be removed if he has moved out. I had to do it with my own credit report.

TheFlis12345 · 28/03/2023 22:36

I am not aware of any lender that asks you to submit a home filmed video to get a loan rather than actual ID and proper signed paperwork?!

teacakie · 28/03/2023 22:39

TheFlis12345 · 28/03/2023 22:36

I am not aware of any lender that asks you to submit a home filmed video to get a loan rather than actual ID and proper signed paperwork?!

Apparently monzo do this for a current account so it's not beyond the realms of possibility that could be taken further

Soontobe60 · 28/03/2023 22:44

If she took a loan out in his name and defaulted, he would have received many letters and a visit from debt collectors! Something doesn’t add up.

gkhg · 28/03/2023 22:56

talkitup · 28/03/2023 22:20

So, from reading your post, your son is a minimum of 21 years old. I really don't think it's your place to be saying anything to his mum. If your adult son wants to take this up with his mother, that is up to him.

Hmm, I think it would be acceptable for dad to talk about this on his sons behalf. It must be very distressing for his son and he may not have courage to confront his mum, support would be good at least

ArcticSkewer · 28/03/2023 22:59

Is this a loan in his mum's name or his?

It sounds like she is a financial connection to him because they live at the same address, so her debt is linked to him. Rather than the debt itself being in his name.

Shamoo · 28/03/2023 23:26

It saying the loan has defaulted but also saying he has no late or missed payments doesn’t make sense if the loan was in his name?

bunnyrabbitsandbutterflies · 28/03/2023 23:47

My mum's mortgage shows up on my credit report. I have no idea why. I've never signed or videoed anything for it and I'm sure as hell she hasn't used my name for anything. I was living at home at the time she applied.
I've never needed to investigate it / remove it. I'm sure it's just a mistake.
Could this be a mistake too?

ArcticSkewer · 29/03/2023 07:14

I've been financially linked to people I lived with but didn't have any shared credit with. Sometimes it's just a mistake, sometimes it's a shared utility bill or something like that where the connection is made.

saraclara · 29/03/2023 07:24

bunnyrabbitsandbutterflies · 28/03/2023 23:47

My mum's mortgage shows up on my credit report. I have no idea why. I've never signed or videoed anything for it and I'm sure as hell she hasn't used my name for anything. I was living at home at the time she applied.
I've never needed to investigate it / remove it. I'm sure it's just a mistake.
Could this be a mistake too?

You absolutely have to follow that up. I can't believe that you're so casual about it.

Oriunda · 29/03/2023 08:42

Often the fact that you share an address with a previous owner is enough to get their credit dealings on your report. When I bought my first flat, the previous owner had CCJ which were listed on mine. I had to provide a written statement saying that he was nothing to do with me, which then went on my credit file. Your son can do the same if he wishes, stating that he is not linked with his mother’s finances.

drpet49 · 29/03/2023 08:46

Well she has committed fraud and I would make a report to the police and the bank.

theemmadilemma · 29/03/2023 08:50

Yes Monzo. I had to do videos.

Disgusting to do that to him.

HowWoo · 29/03/2023 08:54

TheFlis12345 · 28/03/2023 22:36

I am not aware of any lender that asks you to submit a home filmed video to get a loan rather than actual ID and proper signed paperwork?!

My son had to do this a few weeks ago to open an account with HSBC

marshmallowsforbreakfast · 29/03/2023 10:29

Everyone saying you can be finally linked with someone just for having the same address is incorrect. This isn't the case at all. Has she used him as a guarantor or something?

BarbaraofSeville · 29/03/2023 10:34

Starling also complete ID checks by video. You upload a copy of your passport or driving licence then a video of yourself reading a script similar to that mentioned in the OP. I've also just had to do it as part of a DBS check.

OP, if your DS has a defaulted account, he's going to find it very hard to get other credit or possibly even rent a home when he wants to move out. He will also be jointly liable for repaying the loan unless he reports his mother for fraud unfortunately. Perhaps it says 'no late or missing payments' as the default is an indication that it's beyond that now?

It's a difficult one as he probably doesn't want to rock the boat as far as his DM is concerned as he has to live with her and she could throw him out, but currently, he could be in a position where he can't rent his own home, or get any kind of credit while this is hanging over him. He could also find that he has to deal with bailiffs etc. Has he not noticed any letters or anyone coming to the house?

He might be able to find some advice from Moneysaving Expert. The article is about financial abuse and fraud within couples, but the section on taking out unknown debt in a partner's name looks useful, it's the same principal.

https://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2019/06/martin-lewis--financial-abuse--joint-accounts-and-managing-money/

Mumsafan · 29/03/2023 10:34

My DN has recently had trouble getting a mortgage because he was financially linked to his ex. All sorted now but meant the whole thing dragged out for months.

BarbaraofSeville · 29/03/2023 10:36

ArcticSkewer · 29/03/2023 07:14

I've been financially linked to people I lived with but didn't have any shared credit with. Sometimes it's just a mistake, sometimes it's a shared utility bill or something like that where the connection is made.

A shared utility bill is a shared credit account that links your whole credit file with someone, so something to be aware of in shared houses where you have no idea about the creditworthiness of the other person.

Stugs · 29/03/2023 10:38

bunnyrabbitsandbutterflies · 28/03/2023 23:47

My mum's mortgage shows up on my credit report. I have no idea why. I've never signed or videoed anything for it and I'm sure as hell she hasn't used my name for anything. I was living at home at the time she applied.
I've never needed to investigate it / remove it. I'm sure it's just a mistake.
Could this be a mistake too?

My parents put my name on their mortgage when I was 18 and lied that I was earning a salary so that they could borrow more. They then defaulted!

ArcticSkewer · 29/03/2023 11:36

BarbaraofSeville · 29/03/2023 10:36

A shared utility bill is a shared credit account that links your whole credit file with someone, so something to be aware of in shared houses where you have no idea about the creditworthiness of the other person.

Show quote history

Yes I suppose you are right with the wording. What I meant was that people don't realise that just being on a joint bill for utilities makes you financially linked. They think it means joint 'credit card, loan, mortgage'. Ops son could just be on a joint utility bill. It isn't clear if the actual debt is in his name.

Definitely an issue for house shares etc as well, you're right

EmmaEmerald · 29/03/2023 11:39

So you've been looking at your son's credit record?

I would tell him but what's your reason for having done that?

Yes, it will affect his credit.

anxiouslemons · 29/03/2023 12:23

EmmaEmerald · 29/03/2023 11:39

So you've been looking at your son's credit record?

I would tell him but what's your reason for having done that?

Yes, it will affect his credit.

I would assume with him/his permission. From this quote of the Op
Fast forward a few years and I got him to sign up to a credit agency as he wants to get something on credit for the first time

EmmaEmerald · 29/03/2023 15:22

anxiouslemons · 29/03/2023 12:23

I would assume with him/his permission. From this quote of the Op
Fast forward a few years and I got him to sign up to a credit agency as he wants to get something on credit for the first time

Show quote history

But then how has the OP seen it and his son hasn't?

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