Mum wrecked daughter's credit rating with fraudulent store card accounts

Blackburn magistrates heard when Paula Pickup failed to keep up payments on the numerous accounts her daughter’s credit rating was trashed.

Pickup, 50, formerly of Barn Meadow Crescent, Rishton, but now living in Warrington, pleaded guilty to 11 charges of fraudulently opening accounts intending to make gain for herself. She was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

The court heard the accounts were opened between 2015 and 2020 with companies including Argos, Shop Direct, Virgin Media Telecom, Studio Mail Order, JD Williams, Sky, Next and Paypal Credit Card.

Graham Tindall said the total value involved was £2,174.

“The credit was obtained in her daughter’s name and that has caused substantial damage to her credit rating,” said Mr Tindall.

“There was an abuse of trust and clearly the credit rating is going to take some sorting out.”

Jonathan Taylor, defending, at the time his client was unable to obtain credit in her own name and was struggling financially.

In 2015 she used her own bank account details and her daughter’s name to open the accounts.

“Ironically, all the items she purchased were ultimately for her children. She wasn’t funding a lavish lifestyle, she was simply trying to get things for them.”

Mr Taylor said the eldest daughter had suffered because her credit rating had been affected when her mother couldn’t keep up the repayments.

“They are still speaking but it has been very difficult,” said Mr Taylor. “My client is deeply ashamed of what she has done.”