Local Campaign Launched on Pre-Paid Debit Cards for Kids

1.03.05pm GMT Tue 2nd Dec 2008

Richmond Trading Standards Department is working with Vincent Cable MP to restrict access to pre-paid debit cards being issued to children as young as 13 (by Virgin or Quidity - owned by Clydesdale Bank) or 16 (by Lloyds or Paypal).

Use of these cards can enable children to buy goods on the Internet, including age restricted goods like lethal knives, cigarettes and alcohol. Parental consent is not necessary.

Richmond Trading Standards has taken up the issue in part because E-bay is based in the Borough and the Department has been giving advice to local traders on how to strengthen checks. Vincent Cable MP has been campaigning in the national media and is trying to mobilise the Government, the Office of Fair Trading and the Citizens' Advice Bureaux: "It seems very clear that some reckless and foolish credit promotion is taking place, to children; that parents are being undermined; and that the culture of dangerous indebtedness is being passed on to a new generation. I am delighted that the local Trading Standards Department is majoring on this issue."