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| NimueBanditQueen |
on Thu 29 Jul 10, 1:21 AM to NimueBanditQueen's blog.
I have just been refused a mobile phone account because of my 'credit history'. So I checked my credit history. It couldn't be cleaner or healthier.
Credit rating 'Excellent', credit score 999, all history good, all payments honoured, one credit check in the last 12 months (car insurance company), three credit accounts, outstanding amounts small, credit balance healthy, no late payments, all statuses green. Same house for last ten years, no isses with address. Fully employed and have been for years with the same big stable company.
Yet I have been turned down. - Anyone else have experience of this?
It's not so much the phone, although that is a bummer. The big worry is... I have a verbal agreement on a Marine Mortage with which to buy my narrow boat (and no that didn't involve a credit check, yet). It never occurred to me to worry about whether they would be willing to extend the credit.
If one credit check turns me down for no apparent reason, is it likely that others will follow suit? How difficult might it be to get to the bottom of this, get this explained and or sorted?
*How* do you fix a credit rating when it ain't broke?
Edited Thu 29 Jul 10, 2:12 AM by NimueBanditQueen
| 29 Jul 10, 1:43 AM marcusl UK, 6 yrs |
Have you tried using a credit checking company like Experian or Equifax?* Both companies are doing a free check ATM, so it should flag any markers that are preventing you from gaining credit. *Other credit checking companies are available. All hail Zoidberg, saviour of the Universe! | |
| 29 Jul 10, 1:47 AM NimueBanditQueen UK(MK), 2 yrs |
Yup, it was the Experian report (as suggested in the refusal email form the company that turned me down) that gave all the clean, green healthy 999 Excellent data. I'll try the Equifax as well, thank you. Update: Exact same result. Not a thing on here to explain it. Grr. Just grrr. Edited 29 Jul 10, 2:13 AM by NimueBanditQueen | |
| 29 Jul 10, 2:41 AM marcusl UK, 6 yrs |
I know from experience that some phone companies have a crazy verification system for credit checks. Trying to get a dongle for the missus' laptop was a bugger for her, but easy for me. The only difference were the type of questions which were asked. The reason cited for such rigorous checks was due to theft of phones using phoney IDs/proof of address. Perhaps trying to get the same phone from another store would help? Instead of going to the mobile providers retail outlet, what about going somewhere such as Carphone Warehouse, or Phones 4 U? They'll offer the same phone for the same price and package, but they may use a different credit checking system. Otherwise, I'd try ordering it via the mobile providers website. All hail Zoidberg, saviour of the Universe! | |
| 29 Jul 10, 7:12 AM Cagoulion UK, 7 yrs |
My own experience of being turned down for credit was the result of moving to an address which had a previous tenant who had a CCJ and debt history. If they turn you down for credit ask them to tell you which referencing agency they used (that might be a legal obligation but I don't know) and you can request a report from that agency which usually costs a nominal fee. You can then put a rebuttal to any incorrect data being used against you. You can't change what is written if it's true but you can put something like New tenant J Bloggs has no associasion or relationship to previous debt addled one. Then you can see what was used to deny you the credit. Sometimes not having bought anything on credit or having a mortgage can be a barrier. Owning loads of stuff bought cash is apparantly riskier than being in hock for many items over many years. Regards Cag Edited to say I see you've done all that pretty much, the credit squeeze is biting and mortgages are becoming harder to find unless you have capital so I would worry that even a clean tickety boo history is really not enough for many lenders they want a load of your cash too. That said I'd get to the bottom of the phone thing. Edited 29 Jul 10, 7:18 AM by Cagoulion | |
| 29 Jul 10, 10:02 AM Visualize UK(CV), 5 yrs |
I had no problem getting a loan for my boat - the bank manager went through the forms with me and put it down as "transport" I didn't have a problem even though I was separated from my wife, still had a house mortgage partly in my name, had credit card debts and had half registered everything at my sisters address who has a bad credit rating. Maybe I was just lucky, but money for large tangible assets like boats seems to be fairly forthcoming...I only pay about 5% as well.... O.W.W.N.M | |
| 29 Jul 10, 11:12 AM PapaSmurf UK(CF), 22 mths |
Ok, that's a little odd. Mobiles are traditionally one of the easiest things to get. Any names on there associated with you that shouldn't be? Can happen sometimes if you've got mail to a previous occupant from a company you also deal with. Easy to sort out if so.
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| 29 Jul 10, 6:06 PM doctorgas UK, 5 yrs |
Are you on the electoral role? If not, that might be why. | |
| 29 Jul 10, 10:47 PM NimueBanditQueen UK(MK), 2 yrs |
Thank you all. There is literally no reason for this.  Electoral roll: check have been on it for all of the 9 years at this address where me and ma have kept our credit noses cleaner than clean. No other people registered at the address or recorded or mentioned in credit reports. No other address associated. Contacted mobile network provider today. I have to write to their credit department to get an answer. In the meanwhile of course the phone company reallocated the handset that I waited other a month for.
In other news, the elderly-user mobile that I ordered for my mother the day before yesterday turned up today. I ordered it with a PAYG SIM from the same network so she could phone me without worrying about the cost. Now I have to send that back in case the network provider don't get back to me about *my* query before the 7 days return period runs out on *her* phone and we end up stuck on different networks: "Here you are mother, here's your lovely new phone: isn't it great, hearing-aid compatible, emergency alarm, the works: pretty huh? Did you enjoy that? Good because it now it goes back to the Post Office." It took me a half-day holiday to arrange all this as well of course. Incidentally in case anyone wonders: loan for the boat = 25% minimum deposit now for 2nd hand boats and a lot more than 5%. Standard rate to all comers. I don't earn anywhere near enough to get a loan of this magnitude from the bank. Not a chance. Send me a hug. God knows I need it.
Grr. Just grrr. | |
| 29 Jul 10, 11:53 PM crimson_angel UK(GL), 5 yrs |
A big hug coming your way sweetie (((HUGS))) As someone else said, sometimes having a clear credit rating is worse than a bad one as it comes up as an unknown entity, umm can't really suggest anything to help though other than try a different vendor? Sometimes your knight in shining amour is just a retard in tin foil | |
| 31 Jul 10, 6:18 PM analogboy 22 mths |
That is genuinely bizarre. I've worked for the banks in the past and work for an insurer now so I have some knowledge of the credit rating system. Everything you say points to you being allowed this credit, it just seems beyond a joke that you wouldn't be. I assume (perhaps falsely) that you've previously had a mobile contract, and have had no issues with billing disputes etc? Any prior dealings with the network in question? |
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