Burnham urges Assembly condemnation of Child Debit Cards

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Jul 2008

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children and Young People, will urge the Assembly Government during Plenary tomorrow to condemn the issue of unsolicited debit cards to children without parental consent after the shocking news that some high street banks allow children as young as 11 to have debit cards without the knowledge of their parents.

Eleanor Burnham, North Wales Assembly Member said:

"I was horrified to read that children as young as 11 were being mailed debit cards that they could then use over the internet to purchase items such as cigarettes and porn videos. This is a clear violation of trust by banks.

"Lloyds TSB says that there are safeguards to protect customers who use their debit cards so that children are restricted from buying adult purchases. However, I know of one fifteen year old boy who was able to buy adult material easily, including Viagra and a fake ID, using his debit card without his parent's knowledge. With such a debit card a child could empty their account without the parents knowing. Clearly the bank is placing profit before the moral duty to protect children.

"There should be a moral duty on all businesses not to abuse the trust of those most vulnerable in society. Targeting children without informing their parents in this manner is repugnant.

"I appeal to the Welsh Assembly Government to put as much pressure as possible on Westminster and any offending bank to reassess the policy of offering debit cards to minors without parental consult."

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