Son being exploited

[tealnightmare]

I’m hoping for some advice as to how best to help with my 18 year old son.
He was told to get a mobile the phone by someone online and they would pay him for it so he did and they took the phones away and he later found out that they scammed him, they said the would cancel the contract and they haven’t, he’s been paying these bills, now he’s received debt collectors letters.
He’s been lying about all of this for months, obviously I’m cross but also very worried about him. He’s neurodiverse, with ADHD and dyslexia, and he’s being exploited.
Any advice on how to start unpicking this would be very welcome, because I’m at my wits end, but pleased he’s finally cracked and told me.

Sorry to hear this, OP. Your poor son must be so hurt by this.

Whose name are the contracts in? Your son’s I assume? And how many phones? Is he still in contact with this person? Does he have proof of the conversations that took place?

Sorry for all the questions, but a bit more info might help us to help you.

I’d get in touch with the mobile phone companies, explain that your child has been scammed and see if there is anything to be done. I’d also go to the police because this is a scam, and your son has in essence been defrauded. I don’t entirely understand why he would get a mobile phone for someone else in the first place - do you have all the details? Was he actually 18 when he got the phones? It sounds to me as though there is some sort of criminal behaviour here, quite apart from your sonpaying the phone contracts - clearly, whoever he got the phones for doesn’t want a phone in their own name.

I'd speak to Police and possibly Social Work as he's quite vulnerable ... I assume he still lives with you OP?

As others have said, call the police