Signed contract as a minor, can a company even do this?
I'm not sure if anyone of you have heard of the pet hospital, Banfield, They're a chain associated with Petsmart, I believe.
When I was 16 I got a dog, my dad was on board but was trying to teach me responsibility with the dog. So when we would get vet care, since it was my dog, he'd have me sign papers authorizing his care and what not.
Well my dad ended up purchasing a "wellness plan" (somewhat like insurance for dogs, but not exactly) for our dog.
Before signing the contract for the plan, I was wise enough to say "hey, this won't reflect on my credit or anything right? because I'm not the person being billed.. my dad is" they assured me I HAD to sign because it was my dog and had nothing to do with billing.
Today, 2 years later, I got a letter in the mail from a collection agency saying my account has gone into collections. But I was 16 at the time of signing the damn thing, and now I can not even proved that they bold faced lied to me. Can they even do that to a minor?
Update:My dad is a single father and unexpectedly fell on hard times and when your choices are the light bill or the dog's insurance.. well, he made a decision any parent would.
Comments
I think that the Banfield Wellness plan lasts for one year, doesn't it? Someone mentioned that you have to be under 18 when you cancel. Even if that is true, if you didn't resign when you were 17, then I think you're covered there.
I would definitely dispute it with the credit bureaus.
Legally, people and businesses cannot enforce contracts signed by minors. { You need advice on the best way to prove to them you were a minor, and how to get them to stop pursuing you.}
I am surprised Banfield let you sign. EDIT @ Amanda ; a minor CAN enter into a contract. It just cannot be enforced if the minor chooses not to honor the terms. [[ her other advice sounds real good. ]]
One caveat (warning): when a minor signs for something that is an emergency [or a "necessity" - like rent or hotel bill if you were on your own], sometimes the business can collect. idk if pet insurance falls under this category; but if you had to sign papers to admit yourself into a hospital - the hospital would try to collect.
But why didn't your dad pay the bill??
the correct decision of your father would have been to cancel the insurance, before it was past due. Believe it or not you may very well likely be responcible for this debt even though under 18. It will totally depend on your state of residency. Most states allow a minor who is 15 to contract for insurance and if your state is one of them you are screwed. Contract your states department of insurance or consumer protection to find out. if not lodge your complaint to get your credit cleared if yes pay the debt and move on
SumDude is only particially correct.
A contract with a minor is not enforceable, as long as that minor cancels when they are still a minor.
However, as soon as you turned 18 there was no more do over.
Sorry, but you are now responsible. Call arrange payments.
You have to contact the credit bureaus directly. They will investigate any disputed debt. Annualcreditreport.com is a good place to start. You can dispute through their site. Long story short, no, they can not report a debt while you were under age. It was illegal for you to enter any contract under age.