17 year old obtained credit card.

[creditwatcher2012]

I got talking to a friend whos son, has been authorixed uses on his credit cards for 3 years, but a credit file, then jacked his age up a year and obtained an amex  byhimself? is that even possible, cant he get in trouble?

[Anonymous]

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@creditwatcher2012 wrote:

I got talking to a friend whos son, has been authorixed uses on his credit cards for 3 years, but a credit file, then jacked his age up a year and obtained an amex  byhimself? is that even possible, cant he get in trouble?

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Yes that is easily possible.  Basically, credit bureaus rely on credit card issuers for data.  If birth date was first reported incorrectly, then credit bureaus will accept it.  However, he can get in trouble for it.  He basically lied on his application.  No idea if this is a criminal act or not, but definitely a no no.  Btw, I doubt age was the only thing he lied about as he needs to have reported income.  But, the BIG problem is around age.  Assuing he is under 18, he can not sign a legal contract.  I guess, if the credit card company wanted to really push it, it could be considered fraud and definitely a criminal act.  Additionally, since he is a minor, his parents will probably be responsible for any harm resulting from it.  The interesting question is 10 years from now, assuming the kid still has the card and defaults on it, whether or not his parents can be held responsible for the bill since the contract was "signed" by a minor at the time and therefore the responsibility of the parents.

[djc1puno]

+1 crashem...i would at least think it's fraud...who knows tho maybe he'll get away with it...my question is, will all his future apps now have to be a year older when declaring his age? messy situation i think in the near future

[enharu]

+1 to what crashem said. This is considered as fradulent misrepresentation, and it's definitely illegal.

His parents can be held liable for it, if the account ever defaults, since that kid is below 18 and the contract is technically null. If he ever gets into trouble for fraud with regards to this, he may be barred from certain jobs in finance and banking as well. 

Anyhow, what's done is done. He could into a branch or call the bank and notify them about this issue, and see if they are willing to do anything about it. Otherwise, just make sure this account always stay current, or simply just close it.

[djc1puno]

i think closing it would be a good idea...that way should he ever default on it then he can avoid all the legal hassles that he'd have to deal with...including his parents' involvement.

[creditwatcher2012]

I honestly didnt even believe it at first, I mean dont credit card companies have some type of "check" system to ensure things like this dont happen.

[djc1puno]

to tell you the truth, this happened to me...not by me...by my parents...i was added to my parent's house as a minor and the bank never really verified my info...long story short, that didn't work out for me...so i agree, you would think they would have a better check system or verification system

[Anonymous]

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@creditwatcher2012 wrote:

I honestly didnt even believe it at first, I mean dont credit card companies have some type of "check" system to ensure things like this dont happen.

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Sort of.  Remember a lot of your information is private so they have no right to it.  Hell, they shouldn't even be using your SSN as identification number according to Social Security Administration (and maybe the law for that matter).  In any case, as you volunteer information during application process, they can use that information.  Basically, with regards to age, address, etc., if you are consistent with the error, you will likely get away with it for a while.  But what is the point as it could easily bite you in the ass.  Sure, while you are applying over the internet with big card issuers, you are probably fine.  However, when you apply in person with, let's say, a credit union or auto loan or mortgage, they can easily ask you for ID. At that point, either you have to enter in the real birth date which won't agree with your credit report and therefore have a problem, or use your fake birth date which could be caught by in person lender and explained.

[unusuallyconfused]

It is what it is, but one thing I'd like to throw in in this:

First, the people talking about the 17 year old's parents being held "responsible", I'd not be too sure. While that might be true in a few places, it's not true in most. The parent's being held "responsible" for the criminal (criminal defined as non-civil) acts of a child depends TOTALLY on what state, county and even city they live. Most likely, the odds are great the parenents aren't responsible for the acts of a minor child in these particular sets of circumstances. So the sky ain't falling here.

Second, while the kid did a definate no-no, it's up to the credit card companies to do their due dilligence, too. Again, LIKELY, if the "fraud" is discovered it's egg on the face of Amex and most likey they would quietly close the account, demand payment of any balance and sweep it all under the rug. I doubt, again, Amex would bring public charges against this kid if this whole thing is found out.

Last, the kid should just pay what he owes on the card (if anything) and come clean and call Amex up and close the account ASAP. Otherwise, if he gets away with it until he's 18, 19, 20 and beyond, I wonder if he'd still be out of danger if it's ever discovered the account was opened at 17. Ditto too for the issue of a wrong DOB on his credit file. He might have got the Amex now, but he could be dooming himself later in the long term.

He's 17. There's still time. In that spirit, I'd come clean and close the account before any long term damage is done to himself.

[BearsAndTurtlesRtheBest]

I wonder what he put down as income? You dont wanna play with these type of situations because like Crashem said it wll come and bite you in the bootay.