A woman used her daughter’s personal details to obtain credit from online retailers including Studio without prior consent – leaving her in significant debt.
Kelly Watkins, 42, pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud when she appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (28 June).
Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the defendant, of The Circle, Pinehurst, opened accounts with Grattan/Freemans, Yours Clothing/Dorothy Perkins, Studio and the credit lender Opus.
The accounts were opened using her daughter’s name, and she was “shocked” to discover debts of around £1,700 when she applied for a credit report.
The victim contacted her mother about the debt and Watkins admitted to opening the accounts and not paying for the goods ordered. One of the debts had resulted in a county court judgment (CCJ).
Mr Ballinger said the woman gave her mother the chance to pay back the money, but when she stopped making payments, she reported the fraud to Wiltshire Police.
Charlotte Frizzell, defending, said her client pleaded guilty because she accepts using a false name and address to apply for credit – but claimed it was with her daughter’s permission.
But Mr Ballinger did not accept that Watkins’ daughter was complicit in the crime.
Ms Frizzell told the court that the defendant had already paid back more than £1,000 of the debt, but due to her “very limited means”, she could not make further payments – and that’s when she was reported to the police.
The case was adjourned for sentencing on 19 July. Watkins’ was released on unconditional bail.
