Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Rhode Island

Minors and Credit cards

Last year when I was 16, i was cruising the web

and saw many banners for credit card

companies, etc., one day for the heck of it i

submitted a application with a phony birthday,

before i knew it i had 4 credit cards, and now

5500.00 worth of debt at 17 years old. I dont know

what to do, i cant afford it, and i was wrong, and

stupid for doing what i did, but i was young, what

would happen if i contacted the creditors?


Asked on 11/08/01, 6:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Anthony DeWitt Bartimus, Frickleton Robertson & Gorny, PC

Re: Minors and Credit cards

In most states you can't enter a binding contract until you are 18. I doubt that the companies can enforce their claims against you.

However, the actions you took could amount to credit card fraud, and that is something you could be prosecuted for.

I recommend you contact a criminal defense attorney in your city and do so by contacting your state bar association for the name of someone who handles cases pro bono. You need legal advice and the lawyer needs to handle this matter so that you don't get prosecuted.

I wish you good luck.

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Answered on 11/09/01, 12:05 pm


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