NationStates Jolt Archive

Most have you have probably read the thousand pounds thread... here's what it was about:

Basically, my 13-year-old cousin has got crappy relatives who don't give a shit about her. Her Aunt has f*cked off somewhere, I can't remember what happened to her Dad, and her Mum is dead. She borrowed loads of money for food and stuff from people, and ended up asking me for help. I did the thousands pounds thread because I didn't get some money I was supposed to get which would have enabled me to give her a thousand pounds (minimum) so she could pay back the people she borrowed money from.

Because she couldn't pay back the money when she'd said she could (due to me not getting previously-referred-to money), the amount was increased to £1,600. She needed that plus some for food etc.. I should have been able to give her that this week, but my bank has messed me about so now I'm only able to give her a few hundred. I want to be able to give her the full amount she owes, plus money for food etc..

I have a job but it only pays around £280 a month, much of which I need for rent.

I'm not asking for ways to get money this time, but does anyone have any advice on what to do about this situation? I don't wanna call Social Services as they are generally crap and generally care more about making money than helping kids in this country (with few exceptions). she's basically trying to support herself but can't get a job, partly due to her age. She won't move in with me (I don't live near her, and I can't remember the reason) and she may have been threatened regarding paying back the money.

Wait, the amount went from 1000 to 1600 inside of a week? Is that new money borrowed or interest? If the latter, in the US we call that "vigorish" and it's illegal loan-sharking.

As for the situation as a whole, I don't know, I mean ... Could you have her move in with you? That would reduce her food and rent expenses some, and maybe you could work something out with her creditors to pay them off little by little. I hope she hasn't been threatened with any sort of harm.

if she is unable to get a job because of her age then she is probably unable to be sued for money owed, so unless she borrowed from loan sharks, she should be able to get off without paying any of it back.

However if she borrowed from loan sharks and is in fear of her safety you should call the police for help.

Most have you have probably read the thousand pounds thread... here's what it was about:

Basically, my 13-year-old cousin has got crappy relatives who don't give a shit about her. Her Aunt has f*cked off somewhere, I can't remember what happened to her Dad, and her Mum is dead. She borrowed loads of money for food and stuff from people, and ended up asking me for help. I did the thousands pounds thread because I didn't get some money I was supposed to get which would have enabled me to give her a thousand pounds (minimum) so she could pay back the people she borrowed money from.

Because she couldn't pay back the money when she'd said she could (due to me not getting previously-referred-to money), the amount was increased to £1,600. She needed that plus some for food etc.. I should have been able to give her that this week, but my bank has messed me about so now I'm only able to give her a few hundred. I want to be able to give her the full amount she owes, plus money for food etc..

I have a job but it only pays around £280 a month, much of which I need for rent.

I'm not asking for ways to get money this time, but does anyone have any advice on what to do about this situation? I don't wanna call Social Services as they are generally crap and generally care more about making money than helping kids in this country (with few exceptions). she's basically trying to support herself but can't get a job, partly due to her age.

If you care enough to take her on with all your money take her into your home too and try to keep her fed and away from loan sharks. Sounds like she has been screwing up by the numbers and needs guidance as much as money to get her moving in a better direction.

if she is unable to get a job because of her age then she is probably unable to be sued for money owed, so unless she borrowed from loan sharks, she should be able to get off without paying any of it back.

However if she borrowed from loan sharks and is in fear of her safety you should call the police for help.

Just so. Minor children can't legally enter into contracts to borrow money. Any legitimate lender wouldn't even entertain the notion, so it sounds to me like she's borrowed from friends, and they'll have to be patient.

She won't move in with me (I don't live near her, and I can't remember the reason) and she may have been threatened regarding paying back the money.

Just so. Minor children can't legally enter into contracts to borrow money. Any legitimate lender wouldn't even entertain the notion, so it sounds to me like she's borrowed from friends, and they'll have to be patient.

that was the point of the first of my post, if she borrowed from friends she will just have to not pay until she can, and they will have to wait, they can't sue her because she is unable to enter into any sort of contract verbal or otherwise.

yeh, take her in yourself if you are able cuz it sounds like you're the only person who cares for her. or what about your parents? could they take her in? i wonder how a 13 year old got a loan in the first place without it being illegal, so i'd be worried for her safety.

She won't move in with me (I don't live near her, and I can't remember the reason) and she may have been threatened regarding paying back the money.

if she is being threatened she needs to seek help from the authorities, paying back the loans won't stop these people from bothering her.

that was the point of the first of my post, if she borrowed from friends she will just have to not pay until she can, and they will have to wait, they can't sue her because she is unable to enter into any sort of contract verbal or otherwise.

And I was agreeing with you. Sorry, I just got out of a meeting with a bunch of managers, and I guess I got into the habit of restating everyone's opinion as my own. ;)

And I was agreeing with you. Sorry, I just got out of a meeting with a bunch of managers, and I guess I got into the habit of restating everyone's opinion as my own. ;)

sorry, I was arguing with about 10 people elsewhere, I just got out of the idea that anyone would agree with me. ;)

we friends? LOL

sorry, I was arguing with about 10 people elsewhere, I just got out of the idea that anyone would agree with me. ;)

we friends? LOL

Of course. :D

if she is being threatened she needs to seek help from the authorities, paying back the loans won't stop these people from bothering her.

She's scared of the authorities due to something she did once (nothing major, but it resulted in a police interview). The people she borrowed from are, I believe, supposed "friends" who have now turned into enemies now that they've not been repaid... the money was borowed from quite a few different people

She's scared of the authorities due to something she did once (nothing major, but it resulted in a police interview). The people she borrowed from are, I believe, supposed "friends" who have now turned into enemies now that they've not been repaid... the money was borowed from quite a few different people

her life is more important than whatever she might get pinned with at the police station. ;)

I once turned myself in on a warrant to keep my boyfriend from killing me.

She's scared of the authorities due to something she did once (nothing major, but it resulted in a police interview). The people she borrowed from are, I believe, supposed "friends" who have now turned into enemies now that they've not been repaid... the money was borowed from quite a few different people

*sigh* Then she's between a rock and a hard place. All in all, I would rather brave the displeasure of the authorities than the "friends" who are now enemies. I suppose you could petition the courts for custody of her, since she's a minor child and you seem to be her closest available relative. Paying the money back is going to be a problem, but the first thing to do is to get her somewhere she isn't compounding the trouble by having to borrow more and more just to live. As for the distance between where you live and where lives, she'll have to suck that one up and move. Where does she live, anyway, since there don't seem to be any adults looking after her?

that was the point of the first of my post, if she borrowed from friends she will just have to not pay until she can, and they will have to wait, they can't sue her because she is unable to enter into any sort of contract verbal or otherwise.

I dont think friends charge 600 interest on 1000 borrowed for a month. If I didnt misread the OP then the girl is well enough acquainted enough with very bad people to borrow money from them. If they are loan sharks and loan money to a thirteen year old girl...it isnt for humanitarian interests.

Also 1000 pounds buys a helluva lot of food.

*sigh* Then she's between a rock and a hard place. All in all, I would rather brave the displeasure of the authorities than the "friends" who are now enemies. I suppose you could petition the courts for custody of her, since she's a minor child and you seem to be her closest available relative. Paying the money back is going to be a problem, but the first thing to do is to get her somewhere she isn't compounding the trouble by having to borrow more and more just to live. As for the distance between where you live and where lives, she'll have to suck that one up and move. Where does she live, anyway, since there don't seem to be any adults looking after her?

She lives or lived with one of her friend's Mothers (I've not met the person so don't know much about her)... hmm... I've just realised she may be talking crap, as it's likely that the woman feeds her... but let's just keep supposing she isn't, any more advice?

I dont think friends charge 600 interest on 1000 borrowed for a month. If I didnt misread the OP then the girl is well enough acquainted enough with very bad people to borrow money from them. If they are loan sharks and loan money to a thirteen year old girl...it isnt for humanitarian interests.

Also 1000 pounds buys a helluva lot of food.
oh, no I know it.

my first thought was drug problem and loan shark, but I tried to shake that off....

I still say call the cops.

oh, no I know it.

my first thought was drug problem and loan shark, but I tried to shake that off....

I still say call the cops.

Yeah, Multiland, you need to find out the whole situation, which I don't think you have. And I'm not saying to chuck her to the wolves if the "whole situation" turns out to be unsavory, but if you're going to take responsibility here - and it sounds like you're willing to step up and do that - you're entitled to all the information. Calling the cops is a serious option, especially if the kid's been threatened with bodily harm. No police department is going to say, "Ah, sorry, no, can't help with that after your little shoplifting incident" (or whatever it was). The cops may not be pleasant lads but they play by the rules. The people we're getting a feeling for who are after your cousin won't play by any rules at all.

She lives or lived with one of her friend's Mothers (I've not met the person so don't know much about her)... hmm... I've just realised she may be talking crap, as it's likely that the woman feeds her... but let's just keep supposing she isn't, any more advice?

I hope it's not the mother of one of the "friends" who loaned her money. :eek:

(bump)

Well thanks for the advice but any more?

good lord multiland, she is 13, call social services.

this is wrong. very wrong and she cant possibly deal with it herself. you cant do it for her so call someone who can. its their job.

good lord multiland, she is 13, call social services.

this is wrong. very wrong and she cant possibly deal with it herself. you cant do it for her so call someone who can. its their job.

I'm not having her stuck in some crappy "Children's Home" where she ends up abused or/and where social services just leave her and don't give a toss about her as long as they get their money

Most have you have probably read the thousand pounds thread... here's what it was about:

Basically, my 13-year-old cousin has got crappy relatives who don't give a shit about her. Her Aunt has f*cked off somewhere, I can't remember what happened to her Dad, and her Mum is dead. She borrowed loads of money for food and stuff from people, and ended up asking me for help. I did the thousands pounds thread because I didn't get some money I was supposed to get which would have enabled me to give her a thousand pounds (minimum) so she could pay back the people she borrowed money from.

Because she couldn't pay back the money when she'd said she could (due to me not getting previously-referred-to money), the amount was increased to £1,600. She needed that plus some for food etc.. I should have been able to give her that this week, but my bank has messed me about so now I'm only able to give her a few hundred. I want to be able to give her the full amount she owes, plus money for food etc..

I have a job but it only pays around £280 a month, much of which I need for rent.

I'm not asking for ways to get money this time, but does anyone have any advice on what to do about this situation? I don't wanna call Social Services as they are generally crap and generally care more about making money than helping kids in this country (with few exceptions). she's basically trying to support herself but can't get a job, partly due to her age. She won't move in with me (I don't live near her, and I can't remember the reason) and she may have been threatened regarding paying back the money.

Ok, I just read the entire thread.

Your cousin is involved in drugs, likely as not. And she has borrowed money from unsavory people to buy them. and now she's in over her head and panicing. She doesn't want to tell you the whole story, so she made up a story hopeing you'd just give her the money without asking too many questions.

it's either that or she's just scamming you for cash. but I think in this case you'd best assume the worst, and that means she is in serious danger and you might be the only person in a position to help her before it's too late.

I know you don't want to, but it's time to get the authorities involved, if you can't persuade her to move in with you, and even then you might need to talk to the police to see what she has been up to in the past, so you know what you are getting into.