iPhone uk contract

He will owe them the cost of the phone. Not different from when you owe a credit card. You don't have to pay, but you will owe them regardless. He is not getting a free phone.

 

He should talk with them before he leaves. I mean, Few weeks before he has to leave? Plenty of time to handle the situation..maybe return either phone or both and/or pay what he owes for them. Otherwise, if I'm reading it right he is trying to make off with two phones he didn't pay for.

 

If your friend is planning to have a job in the UK within 6 years then he/she better return the phone as the credit default can last six years on the credit report. The report can be seen by lenders and some employers who requires credit check.

Phone contract won't be cancelled until you return the handset, so the outstanding unpaid balance would be your monthly payment x number of months + debt collector's fee + interest. Therefore the damage will be bigger than your might have imagined.

 

It would be theft. The police would likely be notified and good luck to him sorting out his visa after stealing a phone.

In short: I can't think of anything stupider someone needing a visa could do other than commit a crime.

 

If you have previously requested a return but you did not return the handset, the phone company will automatically assumed that you would like to continuing the contract. Your first bill will be created within days time and if you do not pay this on time, they will flag this as a bad debt.

It's not a crime when you are unable to pay off your debt so police won't be notified, the phone company will simply pass the debt to a debt collection agency. The only damage is your credit rating, so you won't be able to obtain any credits anywhere else in the UK, except loan sharks. Also some company would do a credit check before offer you a job.

Even though this is not a crime but this is just ethically wrong .. Don't do it

 

Actually, it's both theft and fraud. Your friend must have very low morals.

 

As a former credit controller for a UK phone company i can't stress enough what an idiot your friend is being.

He'd be billed the phone and length of contract in full upon a termination for non payment probably owing £2000 if not more. He'd get no sympathy and should he decide to pay it eventually would be given 3 month payment terms.

Not to mention his credit history in the UK will show a default for 6 years, and no one would go near him for credit. Phone, car, mortgage, credit card.. forget it. He wont get it should he come back here.

The arrears would then be passed to a debt collection company, and while i've had no professional dealings with them i have spoken to customers who say they are horrible people to deal with, they have no concerns about using bullying tactics to get payment. Most customers would rather then pay the phone company rather than the debt collectors but its to late. Damage is done.

The phone will also be blacklisted for non payment/theft and once thats done just use it as a door stop thats all its fit for.

Phone company always wins.