who owns our phone and contract

[enrich100]

before you say it, yes  was stupid, yes I'm liable for payment. but can I get my phone back or at least get the sim replaced so I can use it in my phone

my daughter was 17 and wanted an Iphone and a anytime contract so could not get a phone in her name so good old dad stepped in please read details before commenting until you have read everything

1. I made an order for the phone in my name

2. I setup a contract for Vodafone in my name

3 the direct debit and payment comes out of my bank account

4 my daughter had use of the phone as long as she paid me personally

5 she currently uses her email adresss to log in to vodafone

now if I take proof of ID can I take over the vodafone login with my details

can I request a new sim (and pay charges if nessesary? so i benefit from the account

if all my bank details are used and the contract is in my name have I covered all the bases to prove I'm the owner

as I said I know Im liable for all payments but my daughter is now 18 refusing to pay for it or give it back, she has friends telling she is entitled to behave this was and not take any responsibility. morally if it were me owing I would resolve the but the her non legally trained friend are telling her otherwise.  I look forwardthe relationship is beyond repair so it won't make a bad position any worse. to me this would be like a company phone in the sense that whilst I work for a company I can use the phone but when I leave the company I have to return the phone and am liable if I didnt return it? if the detail were in her name she is clearly contractually the owner but none are I would appreciate knowing at the very least if Vodafone will even talk to me regarding this situation or would they just try to hide behind red tape? please take it a read that I shouldn't have done it, it was a daft decision and for all those parents out there we had no idea this was going to happen so please take precaution to prevent this happening to you. I look forward to hearing your input and fully understand that some answers may not say what I would like to hear

[AnnS]

Only the network Vodafone, can IMEI block the phone @enrich100 , it's not something Apple would be able to do. However, the phone is not lost or stolen you know where it is, it's just that you can't get it back but no harm contacting Customer Services and making the request. 

If your Daughter is still using the phone with you having blocked calls and texts, she would still be able to receive but may be using an alternative SIM and number.

However, this is not going to get the phone back for you to enable you to sell and still leaves you with a credit agreement to pay.

[enrich100]

Thank you for you reply sadly we are aware blocking the phone won't make it magically reappear,

I didnt mention that we have been advised to make a small claims court case against her for the value of the phone, however if the phone is no use to her she may return it allowing us to sell it, I dont want to use court proceeding against her unless no other option is open to us

[Thomas_H]

The account holder can request the handset to be blacklisted for any reason. It can also be removed if you request it. The only exception would be a device that was claimed on insurance or was reported as fraud.

As the previous posters have mentioned when you take out a contract you are the legal owner. Unfortunately if you have the agreement that the person will pay you and they stop, it will be you that is liable. This happens more often than you think with family members, breakups or friends helping those who can't pass a credit check. Hope everything works out.