+55 votes
by (2.1k points)
Alright I need advice and I’m sorry this is so long, last summer I was still living with my family and my little sisters boyfriend (he was 17) got kicked out of his house and his car/phone taken . He was working for his families business and tried to quit and his dad kicked him out when he did . So he lived with us for the summer, at the time, being a naive 19 year old and thinking he was trust worthy I got him a bank account with me (like a kids one) because his father had withdrawn everything from his bank account when he got kicked out. I also got him a job at where I worked so commute would be easier , and I went to Verizon and got him a phone (owner of the phone was him but I was the owner of the account). So at this time I had no credit . Things went okay for the summer but once school started back up again his parents wanted him to move back with them and that’s when things went bad . He started acting up at our job and got himself fired , he kept going in the negative in the bank account (biggest he reached was $400) and missing his phone bills . I kept begging him to please keep things straight but it seemed that if his bank was in the positive he didn’t pay his phone bill or if his phone was paid he went into the negative in his bank account . I went through hell just begging him to please be responsible because I was scared , I was getting phone calls from the bank and letters from Verizon stating the negative balances and missed bills . Finally in January he turned 18 . I had him withdrawal the bit of money he had from his account and I closed it down . I made him go to Verizon and pay off the past due bills . So now all that’s left is to transfer the account into his name right ? No apparently not , Verizon said they won’t do it because he has no credit (which makes no sense as I also have no credit) and now I just got letter saying he’s past due on 2 bills  I’m so scared I don’t know what to do , I can’t afford to take over the bills , I live in a different state now so I can’t even get the phone from him , him and my sister broke up last week so now he’s not answering me . I don’t want my credit to be affected by this . I never thought I’d be happy having no credit but every day I go and check to make sure it hasn’t been affected . Sorry it’s such a long post I’m just lost as to what to do . I don’t know how to make him pay the bill and they won’t let me get it out of my name . Please help .  
Alright I need advice and I’m sorry this is so long, last summer I was still living with my family

45 Answers

+27 votes
by (3k points)
As Suze says never co-sign for anyone ever. This is easy. shut it down and pay the bill cause yr credit is getting screwed Sweetie. Hard lesson learned. (BTW you’ve been patient way too long! )
+42 votes
by (1k points)
Close the account. You can try taking him to court but since he was a minor at the time the phone account was opened and technically minors can’t enter into contracts the court may not find in your favor.  
+3 votes
by (3.8k points)
Cancel his stuff!  
0 votes
by (5.5k points)
Report the phone as lost or stolen so he can't sell it, then cancel the account. You'll get a cancelation fee but it's probably less than paying the bill until the contract is up.  
+47 votes
by (3.8k points)
Have your sister invite him over, take your phone back, sell the damn thing, close the account, and arrange a payment plan. Never speak to him again. He’s a turd!  
+19 votes
by (5.2k points)
When I was 19 I opened an account with Verizon but had to pay like $150 or $250 deposit and after the first 2 years it was credited to my account. Idk if they still do that (I’m 36) maybe he can do that?  
+13 votes
by (3.1k points)
Call Verizon and ask to speak with a supervisor. Take the emotion out of your story when speaking with them and give them the facts. Simply put, a person you are no longer affiliated with has taken the phone that is on your account. Ask what options you have to resolve this. A person has a phone that is on an account you own and you don’t even have contact with them. This is not the only case like this and I am sure they can offer some path for you to take. You will likely have some financial responsibility, but the bad situation will be gone from your life - this is worth paying for to cut this cord permanently.  
by (2.1k points)
@praenomen Pruitt thank you !  
+41 votes
by (3.2k points)
I would shut down his phone but just make sure u have another (a couple if possible) way of contacting him. And while u are shutting down his line talk to a verizon rep about options to pay so it doesnt go to collections and try to take that info and try to come up with a plan to pay it your self in a couple of payments and at the same time try keep trying to collect from the boyfriend. and take this as a life lesson. thats all u can do .  
+51 votes
by (4.3k points)
Your going to have to take the hit. Its not your problem anymore. He will learn, I promise. Needs to save up for a phone and pay cash. Until then. he needs to figure something out. Not you. He needs tough love which is what his father was trying to teach him but you interferred.  
+23 votes
by (560 points)
Close the account and be done. You may have to pay the bill but lesson learned. Never co-sign for anyone ever again.  
+44 votes
by (1.2k points)
As of now you can log into your Verizon account and go to manage device and suspend his service.  
+18 votes
by (540 points)
Ummmm. call his parents! Tell them them all you did for their son and ask if they can pay the bill !  
by (2.1k points)
@giantism694 they kicked him out again last week , I think that’s why him and my sister broke up . So I doubt they will help
by (2.4k points)
I would start with the parents - see if they can get the phone back at least and send it to you.  
+2 votes
by (1.9k points)
With sprint I was able to suspend the phone and it was $8. 95 a month but that was better than the 50$ plus tax I had to pay for my daughters line If the phone is being leased may be a different story. Not sure how Verizon does it but they may let you suspend the account
0 votes
by (3.5k points)
Disconnect the phone and close the account.  
+52 votes
by (10.9k points)
Completely close account and disassociate yourself from him. Not your responsibility AT ALL
+26 votes
by (2.3k points)
Your can file eith court yourself - it’s simple - small claims bc it’s under a certain limit amount I’m guessing It’s like a $32 fee to file. It’s simple they will help you at counter fill out . He will be ordered to pay you back in meantime pay it yourself ( keep EVERY RECEIPT and add all costs to your filing. Call his parents ! Who cares if he’s now 18 - he acts like a kid so tell them need their help if he’s not handling it now that he’s back with them. Maybe they will help or make him pay you or it so it’s over with.  
by (1.9k points)
@pietrek he was a minor at the time she did this. I don't think minors are allowed to enter into contracts. She most likely won't be able to sue him for anything. Also, if she doesn't have any agreements in writing that he agreed to pay for anything, they can't make him pay her. And you could call his parents, but it seems to me that they won't be too receptive to your contact. They sound difficult to deal with. They will probably laugh and tell you to pound salt. You shouldn't have gotten involved between the parents and son.  
+3 votes
by (1.9k points)
This is a life lesson to never ever sign for someone else. You are going to have to cancel his phone with Verizon and pay whatever the fees are. The bill is in your name, and putting in your name, you agreed to assume this risk. Do not cosign or give credit to someone who cannot get credit of their own- there is usually a reason why. As good as your intentions were, let this be a lesson. Do not loan or extend credit to someone you cannot afford to just give. Then if they don't pay the bills or don't pay you back, you can afford to take the loss.  
+42 votes
by (1.2k points)
If there is a term left on it take the hit and close it down. Make payment arrangements so that your credit doesn't tank. This is shitty for sure and some people will do whatever to take advantage of you. But seriously close the account before another bill cycles
+7 votes
by (4k points)
Your sister needs to go get the phone and take over the payments. He was her boyfriend, not yours.  
+21 votes
by (5.8k points)
Go to Verizon and have the phone shut off! You will probably have to pay the bill but they cannot force you to keep an account open if you dont want to. Shut it down, pay it off.  
+38 votes
by (8.8k points)
Close the account. If there's any fees, pay them and call it lessons learned and wash your hands of it.  
+15 votes
by (2.3k points)
Cancel the phone. Say it was stolen.  
by (2.3k points)
@isotropic33 do not do this unless it’s true, they’ll flag for fraud without a police report.  
by (320 points)
@isotropic33 it’s technically stolen if he isn’t returning calls
+50 votes
by (1.6k points)
Cut the phone off! Why did you wait so long?  
+22 votes
by (2.3k points)
How much does he owe on his device with Verizon?  
by (2.1k points)
@plectrum around $700
by (2.3k points)
@falla unfortunately, as the account manager, you are responsible for that line, you can turn off the data or suspend the line but still have to pay for it, as far as I know you can pay the phone off and cancel it, it sucks that you have to be responsible for it, but because it’s in your name with your credit history you kind of don’t have a choice  I’m sorry this happened to you.  
by (2.1k points)
@plectrum it’s alright , thank you ! I have definitely learned my lesson though , being nice to people bites you in the ass  
by (2.3k points)
@falla ugh, it’s the worst.  
by (320 points)
@falla if you have the log in info I would suspend that account if he isn’t going to pay he doesn’t need to reap the benefits.  
by (9.2k points)
$700 is a cheap life lesson. People do what you do with houses, cars, and college. Close his account, make plans with Verizon to pay the balance, and tell him to pound sand.  
by (2.3k points)
@sendal not a lot of folks can come up with $700 in a snap for a finger to close an account. I’m sure she feels awful enough.  
by (1.5k points)
@falla be sure to tell Verizon about the situation, but pay it off. They will turn your into collections and you will not be able to get cell service anywhere! They may black list the device so he cannot use it to get service else where or sell it. Ask about it.  
+5 votes
by (1.7k points)
Report the phone stolen or lost and cancel. Hopefully lessons were learned.  
+17 votes
by (2.5k points)
If you are on the account can you just cancel it and he has to either get a ph on his own somehow or have his parents help him
by (2.1k points)
@cyn6507 I can but money is still owed on the phone and it’s a contract so I was hoping maybe I could do something legal wise to get my money back in the end . But from what everyone is saying I’m just going to have to pay everything out of pocket . I’m hoping I can at least get the phone from him . It’s an iPhone XPlus so I’m hoping to sell it to make some money
by (2.5k points)
@falla, aww geez that’s hard to deal with. I hope you can get the phone and pay off the contract.  
by (5.8k points)
@falla see? You know what to do ❤
by (920 points)
@falla my niece shut off a phone with them and they let her make payments on the phone to pay it off. I would still call have the phone cancelled/reported stolen. If he can’t sell or use it he may just give it back to you.  
+22 votes
by (5.8k points)
Cancel the account.  
+12 votes
by (2.1k points)
For anyone who reads this! Thanks so much for all that commented , I got in contact with him and for right now he’s cooperating. I’m going back home in March and he’s going to give me the phone so I can take over payments . Coincidentally my sisters iPhone 6 just decided to go out a few weeks ago and the phone I use is on my mothers plan . So if it all works out I’ll be taking over the phone he used and my mom will be continuing the payments on the one I use , I’m hoping it all goes well and he stays compliant .  
by (740 points)
@falla get in in writing that way if he’s not compliant you have something that says otherwise
by (1.5k points)
Yes, please see if you can get legal guidance. You may be in over your head! Hope everything works out!  
by (750 points)
He can give the phone to your sister/mother now. No need to wait until March. If he doesn't hand it over now, then he's not going to, and you should just shut it off. Why should he swindle another month out of you?  
+7 votes
by (2.7k points)
@falla Fingers crossed for you. I strongly encourage you that before you make contact with him in March. that you call the local court house & get information about filing a civil lawsuit. (Also ask on the process since he was 17 at the time you guys entered this agreement). you may not be able to do anything about the past due because he was a juvenile but from the moment he turned 18 and so forth. So if he doesnt cooperate come March (hes 18 and still continuing to rack the bill in your name) then hit him with the civil court information. Advise him of the process, the civil court judge's name, that he will get subpoenaed etc. Essentially prove to him that you know the law and the appreciate steps you need to take, if needed. I would also pull any documents you can that show him under your accounts. The more documents you have, the better. I'm a LEO and it would be a civil issue but let him be known that you will take the appreciate steps (if needed) and youve done your research
+38 votes
by (1.3k points)
He was 17. what did you expect? I feel for you but he was only a child with a lot of expectation to be an adult.  
by (2.1k points)
@kamerun that’s true but I was only a grade higher then him in high school . I didn’t expect this to happen . Obviously . Learned my lesson
+49 votes
by (1.9k points)
Cancel the account and call it off for good. Blacklist the device as lost/stolen so it cant be activated elsewhere and count it as a mistake and lesson learned. You wont get the phone back but once the account is closed, set up a payment plan and STICK TO IT with Financial Services to avoid going to collections. I worked Verizon CS for 4yrs and know the process and ways around things.  
+30 votes
by (2.4k points)
CUT THE PHONE OFF!.  
0 votes
by (7.4k points)
I would just close his line and pay the balance. I'm sorry this happened to you. You were trying to help someone and they take advantage. Take it as a lesson that you can help people if you want, but never put your name on anything for anyone else, ever.  
+1 vote
by (1.7k points)
Cut the phone off
+5 votes
by (2.1k points)
How much time is left on the contract for the phone? Find out if they let you suspend the account I have att I had my ex on my line. I suspended the account I only paid $5 bucks a month for the line and I waited till the contract was over and canceled it. See if they will do the same
+30 votes
by (2.1k points)
Say you need it suspended because your child was acting up and it needs to be off for a while.  
by (1.9k points)
@chloroform she will still be charged even under suspension. They only have military options for suspension without billing and you have to enter your ssn and other identifying info into the automated system which verifies you're actually enlisted.  
by (2.1k points)
Att suspended mine and it was only $5 a month which was way less than the $60 a month for that one line and they were the ones that gave me that option. How would Verizon be able to check your military status? There’s no way they can check that.  
+15 votes
by (5.8k points)
Cancel your account with them
+13 votes
by (940 points)
Cancel the phone. It's easy. Shut it off
+52 votes
by (2.4k points)
Report as stolen. Only chance you have of getting the phone returned. You could also talk to an officer and they'll likely offer him a chance to turn it over. Since it's legally yours, so to speak.  
+41 votes
by (11.6k points)
Close the accounts period
+17 votes
by (11.6k points)
Call and say phone was stolen and blacklist advise and close the account. You may have to pay off the contract
+34 votes
by (790 points)
Close the account report the phone as stolen if he doesn't give it to u back in a date u agreed with him and if they want cells there is pre paid they dont pay they domt have cells
0 votes
by (9.2k points)
Turn the phone off. Don’t worry about transferring
+34 votes
by (6.8k points)
I wouldn't be waiting until March, he's already done enough damage and he's untrustworthy. Blacklist the phone and setup a payment plan to get it all paid off. Never setup a phone and bank account for a minor again!  
by (2.1k points)
@mazurek yes I have learned my lesson , he’s only a year younger then me so at the time it didn’t seem like I was “doing something for a minor”
by (6.8k points)
@falla totally understandable. We all make our mistakes. I hope you're able to get out of this ok  
+51 votes
by (710 points)
If the phone has insurance on it, report it as stolen and take over the account. Insurance will give you a replacement phone that you can give to your sister. You might have to pay a deductible but it would be a minor cost in comparison to the headache you’re getting rid of. Good luck !  
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