Fortunately or unfortunately, no. The whole process is automated whether
you do it by Web or by phone. They attempt to verify who you are by asking
a series of questions that require you to enter personal information that
they have on file. If you have the right answers you can put a 90 fraud
alert on anyone's account.

Please note that I am commenting on the mechanics, not the ethics or
legality.

--
_Bill_

Elle wrote:

- quote -

Assuming the mother has not been appointed legal guardian in some way of her
son, then he'll have to do this himself, right?

I'd be surprised if Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, or any credit card
company believed statements (on face value) and then took directions from
one adult claiming to act on behalf of another adult. That's fraudulent
activity in and of itself.

"Bill" <no[at]no.com> wrote
- quote -

In article <H8M%d.1416$S46.218[at]newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net> ,
"Leigh Menconi" <lmenconi[at]earthlink.net> wrote:

- quote -

Actually, there are credit companies that prey on people
who have filed for bankruptcy. Once you file, you cannot
file again for 7 years, so they know that if they grant
someone credit after bankruptcy, they will not be able to
file bankruptcy again right away.

-john-

--
================================================== ====================
John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708 john[at]johnweeks.com
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
================================================== ====================

I just went through this as a result of several computers being stolen
from the local VA hospital, one of which had 3,000 names and SSNs on it
including mine.

If you go to the Web site of any one of the three credit reporting
agencies (Transunion, Equifax and Experian) you can immediately put a 90
day fraud watch on the account. You can also remove the person from the
list that credit card companies use for solicitation. You only have to do
this at one site. It will propagate to the other two almost instantly. The
fraud watch will alert any lender who checks the credit report to contact
you before issuing credit.

If you do not have Internet access you can call one of the following
numbers and do the same by phone.

Equifax: 800-525-6285
Experian: 888-397-3742
TransUnion: 800-680-7289

If you are the victim of identity theft or other special circumstances you
can also requiest a form that will allow you to get a 7 year fraud alert
put on the credit record. They might do this in the case of someone who is
impaired. I do not know.

--
_Bill_

<kappo50[at]yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1111441048.276602.136000[at]g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
- quote -

Why not have him file for bankruptcy? If he's old enough to enter into a
contract, his mom should not be responsible for the debt. That would
probably keep them from sending him any offers for at least seven to ten
years.

Leigh

In article <1111441048.276602.136000[at]g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> ,
kappo50[at]yahoo.com wrote:

- quote -

I ran a retail store as a youth. I sold a stereo system
to a guy who I knew as a cook at one of the eating establishments
that I visited. He paid in cash. About 2 weeks later, him
mom came in an returned the stereo and demanded her money back.
The stereo was used and abused, and not able to be resold. She
had a letter from her attorney that stated that the young man
was mentally incompetent and not able to enter into agreements
or buy stuff on his own. That was news to me since the guy
appeared normal in every respect. My attorney said I had no
choice in the matter, I had to repay them.

Perhaps you can get something similar for this kid where
he doesn't have to take responsiblity for things that he
doesn't understand.

-john-

--
================================================== ====================
John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708 john[at]johnweeks.com
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
================================================== ====================

kappo50[at]yahoo.com wrote:

- quote -


If you go to www.annualcreditreport.com and run a free credit check,
there is an option to opt-out of credit solicitations. I don't know if
it take affect only on the one credit agency you select or if it goes to
all 3 (Equifax, Transunion, and Experian).

Best regards,
Bob

I have a relative who is similarly limited in his abilities.

Unless your friend has some sort of legal authority over this young man,
and/or a court has already declared him unable to legally consent to a
contract, then the law will expect him to make the payments.

With my relative, "we" have been stuck with him making some terrible
financial mistakes, and suffering not a few financial losses. Another
relative has bailed him out to some extent, including giving him a low
interest loan, and explaining to him how he'd have to pay monthly. On the
upside, my "limited" relative has learned somewhat from these experiences.
He's not as reckless as he once was. God willing he'll never be mugged
again. He's a lot more careful and doesn't trust just anyone anymore.

Is there any chance to make this a lesson for this young man? Maybe force
him to "pay" in some way for his mistake, explaining (and it might take a
few attempts) what he's done and how "mom" will give him a loan, but he will
pay her off at 1 point below the going rate of interest for it.

It's good that he can hold a job. It's the same for my relative, though he
struggles.

<kappo50[at]yahoo.com> wrote
- quote -

A friend has a 20 year old son (yes, he's really
a friend's son, not mine). He's learning disabled, but
credit card companies don't seem to care about that.
He got the usual credit card offers in the mail during a
6 month period he wasn't living with his mom.
Now he owes > $5,000. He has no idea where the $$$
went. We think his friends stole it "You can just pay for
it later, dude : - )" type stuff. Since he's learning disabled
he has minimum wage jobs, so she's gonna have to
bail him out.

Question at this point is how can she prevent him
from receiving more credit cards / unsecured credit ?
She can't bail him out next time.

thanks