I failed a credit check when buying phone.

coopermanyorks · 11-03-2015, 21:19

Quote:

I've just used it, and it couldn't identify me, and now it wont let me modify it again?

This is so frustrating,

The only thing I can think of is the way my name is spelt on my passport and the way I have spelt it since starting school.

Maybe this is not helping ?

Stig · 11-03-2015, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbenalen

I've just used it, and it couldn't identify me, and now it wont let me modify it again?

This is so frustrating,

The only thing I can think of is the way my name is spelt on my passport and the way I have spelt it since starting school.

It sounds like you have rushed it. The is an important process and you have messed it up.

If your name is different on your passport etc. you need to get that fixed and/or use your 'legal' name on documents.

DevonBloke · 11-03-2015, 21:26

Talking of electoral registers I just emailed the Tories to ask them to please stop using the phrase "Difficult decisions" as it was becoming almost embarrassing and could they please pass this on to Dave.
Bugger me if I didn't get a reply back from Grant Shapps saying he'd passed it on to the party chairmen!!
If they stop saying it... it was me!!!
Hahahahahahha

DevonBloke · 11-03-2015, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbenalen

I've just used it, and it couldn't identify me, and now it wont let me modify it again?

This is so frustrating,

The only thing I can think of is the way my name is spelt on my passport and the way I have spelt it since starting school.

Try here http://www.experian.co.uk/creditexpe...p5xhoCbEjw_wcB
Get your free 1 month to get a report.
See if that works.

benbenalen · 11-03-2015, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

There is also Experian, Equifax and Call Credit, you will need to validate yourself though via your name, address and other details. If you don't get it right then usually they will send you a letter with a code on to validate you live at the address.

All I can recommend is pointing you at MoneySavingExpert's help pages with credit files, they have a lot of information there including companies that are likely to offer starter credit or help build or repair a credit file.

Quote:

Originally Posted by floozie_21

Most companies will have specific credit controls in place which will give them a Pass/Fail based on a number of variables. They won't ask the detail behind those missed payments, they will just see that there are missed payments.

As others have mentioned, you can set up minimum repayments on your credit cards by direct debit to avoid any missed payments. Or you can pay your cards via telephone banking which most, if not all, credit card companies allow you to do.

I've not used Noddle but I signed up for the free trial with Experian when I wanted to check my credit file. Just make sure you remember to cancel it thereafter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Try here http://www.experian.co.uk/creditexpe...p5xhoCbEjw_wcB
Get your free 1 month to get a report.
See if that works.

This is the results on Equifax, check out the two pics, 11/03/15? Does it look alright,

http://s903.photobucket.com/user/eas...?sort=3&page=1

DevonBloke · 11-03-2015, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbenalen

This is the results on Equifax, check out the two pics, 11/03/15? Does it look alright,

http://s903.photobucket.com/user/eas...?sort=3&page=1

Well it looks ok I think.
My current borrowing is about 9 Grand and my score is 998 so that goes to show how variable the results can be.

benbenalen · 11-03-2015, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Well it looks ok I think.
My current borrowing is about 9 Grand and my score is 998 so that goes to show how variable the results can be.

Thanks for checking,

If its okay to them and to you, then it's really silly that I'd get rejected from a phone store, it's not like i'm asking for a big loan, or buying a house or anything important like that, its just a blooming phone.

moox · 11-03-2015, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbenalen

Thanks for checking,

If its okay to them and to you, then it's really silly that I'd get rejected from a phone store, it's not like i'm asking for a big loan, or buying a house or anything important like that, its just a blooming phone.

It might be the "months since last payment problem" that's an issue. If they think you aren't great at paying back a few quid a month on a credit card (even if you have the money) they might think you'll do it for a phone too

One thing to consider is that for a house you might be more likely to make payments because no one wants to lose their home, whereas some people consider a phone or credit card an irrelevance that they don't think they need to pay back if money gets tight.

If you can get a few more months of timely payment they might give you a contract

benbenalen · 11-03-2015, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

It might be the "months since last payment problem" that's an issue. If they think you aren't great at paying back a few quid a month on a credit card (even if you have the money) they might think you'll do it for a phone too

One thing to consider is that for a house you might be more likely to make payments because no one wants to lose their home, whereas some people consider a phone or credit card an irrelevance that they don't think they need to pay back if money gets tight.

If you can get a few more months of timely payment they might give you a contract

On that time 6 months ago, was only because I was unemployed I ran out of money to pay them back fully, but I'm financially okay now to pay and keep up to date with the payments.

I'l probably just pop into the shops and ask, no harm in that.

Thine Wonk · 11-03-2015, 22:42

There's no harm, but the shop staff have no access to your credit file and no information on how scoring is done so they'll be of little help. It might be that you gave them the wrong name or something like you suggested earlier.

It is worth a go with another company, but don't go crazy as a burst of applications in a short space of time can harm your credit record. It may be that you just need to keep a good file for a bit longer before applying again and for now maybe buy something not on credit and leave it a while while your credit record gets more months without any missed payments.

DevonBloke · 11-03-2015, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

It might be the "months since last payment problem" that's an issue. If they think you aren't great at paying back a few quid a month on a credit card (even if you have the money) they might think you'll do it for a phone too

One thing to consider is that for a house you might be more likely to make payments because no one wants to lose their home, whereas some people consider a phone or credit card an irrelevance that they don't think they need to pay back if money gets tight.

If you can get a few more months of timely payment they might give you a contract

This is true.
I sort of missed that bit.
Damn.

Stiggles · 12-03-2015, 00:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

Stiggles there are credit builder credit cards from people like CapitalOne with just a few hundred pound limit which you could use and pay off in full. Run one of those for a little while and then you'll be able to get phone contracts.

Good idea. Will look into that thanks

KieranDS · 12-03-2015, 01:29

You might be able to get a contract it you pay some money up front. Some networks are generally more lenient with this kind of thing.

However, as you've mentioned you've missed credit payments previously, this will affect your credit score highly.

lamby · 12-03-2015, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

There are many weird reasons also.
For example a family member had a bad credit rating because they had too many credit cards.
Most of them had no balance, they were empty and there wasn't much debt but they didn't like it because there was the obvious potential to run up huge amounts of debt.
I think the total limit of all of them was about 90 grand.
Yes, do what others have said.
When I wanted to check I just signed up with Experian for my "first month free".
You get the full works including a full report (which can be very interesting).
You can then pay the whopping 15 quid per month or cancel.
I opted for option 3 which is to pay them £2 (or it might be £3) per month and with this, if there is ever any issues flagged on your rating, they notify you about it.
Simlpes!

The last time I looked though mine was 998 because I'm a very good boy!

An individuals credit rating isn't linked to anyone else in the house, urban myth.

tony le mesmer · 12-03-2015, 08:10

Is buying the phone outright not an option? It makes more sense than buying out your contract.

EDIT: Never mind, just read you already bought out your contract.

What deal were you trying to get out of interest? EE can be quite expensive direct.

billiesmith · 12-03-2015, 08:16

My son was refused credit with O2 and we think it was due to the fact he wasn't on the electoral roll as nothing else fitted. This was an online application.

http://service.o2.co.uk/IQ/SRVS/CGI-...le),CASE=12573

Next day he went into a generic phone shop (such as Carphone Warehouse) and got a contract with Vodafone with no problems.

He is now on the Electoral Roll

WelshBluebird · 12-03-2015, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by billiesmith

My son was refused credit with O2 and we think it was due to the fact he wasn't on the electoral roll as nothing else fitted. This was an online application.

http://service.o2.co.uk/IQ/SRVS/CGI-...le),CASE=12573

Next day he went into a generic phone shop (such as Carphone Warehouse) and got a contract with Vodafone with no problems.

He is now on the Electoral Roll

The "Poor credit history at your address" seems very harsh on those of us who rent! Especially those of us who are younger who bounce around between addresses a bit more.

FreeFool · 12-03-2015, 12:04

Do providers run credit checks when you upgrade on an existing contract?

I ask because I am due an upgrade next month (in time for the new flagships), since we took out the Three One Plan deal, we have bought a house, a car and got married and have since recovered completely from some credit card debt.

If they run another check I fear it will be quite different from two years ago??. Any one care to break the news I may be denied an upgrade to a shiny new S6???

Thanks.

d123 · 12-03-2015, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by WelshBluebird

The "Poor credit history at your address" seems very harsh on those of us who rent! Especially those of us who are younger who bounce around between addresses a bit more.

Its a good thing that it's a myth and not actually true then

.

floozie_21 · 12-03-2015, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamby

An individuals credit rating isn't linked to anyone else in the house, urban myth.

Unless you're financially associated to them such as joint loans etc.

billiesmith · 12-03-2015, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

Its a good thing that it's a myth and not actually true then

.

If you look at the link I posted above O2 says it is one of the reasons they will fail you automatically. It may not be true for every provider of credit, but it is for O2.

WelshBluebird · 12-03-2015, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

Its a good thing that it's a myth and not actually true then

.

Not according to O2!

Chrysalis · 12-03-2015, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Oh and I just remembered....
A few months ago my Cousin needed temporary Internet so I suggested we go into the EE shop in Plymouth and get her an EE monthly SIM and she could borrow my EE MiFi (as I no longer need it since the SIM is now in my Huawei Router).
She was credit checked at the time. Passed!
We came home and she then rang Vodafone to upgrade her iPhone (she wanted me there so she asked the right questions).
They credit checked her and she failed!!!!
Why?
Because the EE and Vodafone shops are in the same street (facing each other actually) and this was flagged as suspicious.
Because of this it was surprisingly easy to sort the problem once they realised what was going on.

as I said before the scoring is done internally by the company and different companies use different ways to score.

They dont just contact a 3rd party agency and ask for a score.

The scores agencies give to those who pay are emulated scores which are not used by companies.

Also a recent credit check will "usually" lower the score. (yes just having a check done).

benbenalen · 13-03-2015, 09:42

I called Equifax last night, and they don't see any problems, nothing major, they don't see any problem why EE rejected when doing a check.
I'm worried if I shop around 02, Carphone Warehouse, and they do a credit check and ruin my credit score.

Chrysalis · 14-03-2015, 23:23

You probably be fine with say 2 or 3 checks in a month but I think more then that it will look dodgy to them.

The best way to improve your chances is to build up a payment history with the company, so get a PAYG sim if you need to and top it up by say £10 a month, and that tells them you can manage a £10 a month contract.

11-03-2015, 21:19	#26
coopermanyorks Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In Gods Own County Posts: 20,678	Quote: Originally Posted by benbenalen I've just used it, and it couldn't identify me, and now it wont let me modify it again? This is so frustrating, The only thing I can think of is the way my name is spelt on my passport and the way I have spelt it since starting school. Maybe this is not helping ?

11-03-2015, 21:20	#27
Stig Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK Posts: 10,383	Quote: Originally Posted by benbenalen I've just used it, and it couldn't identify me, and now it wont let me modify it again? This is so frustrating, The only thing I can think of is the way my name is spelt on my passport and the way I have spelt it since starting school. It sounds like you have rushed it. The is an important process and you have messed it up. If your name is different on your passport etc. you need to get that fixed and/or use your 'legal' name on documents.

11-03-2015, 21:26	#28
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Talking of electoral registers I just emailed the Tories to ask them to please stop using the phrase "Difficult decisions" as it was becoming almost embarrassing and could they please pass this on to Dave. Bugger me if I didn't get a reply back from Grant Shapps saying he'd passed it on to the party chairmen!! If they stop saying it... it was me!!! Hahahahahahha

11-03-2015, 21:30	#29
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by benbenalen I've just used it, and it couldn't identify me, and now it wont let me modify it again? This is so frustrating, The only thing I can think of is the way my name is spelt on my passport and the way I have spelt it since starting school. Try here http://www.experian.co.uk/creditexpe...p5xhoCbEjw_wcB Get your free 1 month to get a report. See if that works.

11-03-2015, 21:51	#30
benbenalen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Albert Square Posts: 10,674	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk There is also Experian, Equifax and Call Credit, you will need to validate yourself though via your name, address and other details. If you don't get it right then usually they will send you a letter with a code on to validate you live at the address. All I can recommend is pointing you at MoneySavingExpert's help pages with credit files, they have a lot of information there including companies that are likely to offer starter credit or help build or repair a credit file. Quote: Originally Posted by floozie_21 Most companies will have specific credit controls in place which will give them a Pass/Fail based on a number of variables. They won't ask the detail behind those missed payments, they will just see that there are missed payments. As others have mentioned, you can set up minimum repayments on your credit cards by direct debit to avoid any missed payments. Or you can pay your cards via telephone banking which most, if not all, credit card companies allow you to do. I've not used Noddle but I signed up for the free trial with Experian when I wanted to check my credit file. Just make sure you remember to cancel it thereafter. Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Try here http://www.experian.co.uk/creditexpe...p5xhoCbEjw_wcB Get your free 1 month to get a report. See if that works. This is the results on Equifax, check out the two pics, 11/03/15? Does it look alright, http://s903.photobucket.com/user/eas...?sort=3&page=1

11-03-2015, 22:02	#31
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by benbenalen This is the results on Equifax, check out the two pics, 11/03/15? Does it look alright, http://s903.photobucket.com/user/eas...?sort=3&page=1 Well it looks ok I think. My current borrowing is about 9 Grand and my score is 998 so that goes to show how variable the results can be.

11-03-2015, 22:10	#32
benbenalen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Albert Square Posts: 10,674	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Well it looks ok I think. My current borrowing is about 9 Grand and my score is 998 so that goes to show how variable the results can be. Thanks for checking, If its okay to them and to you, then it's really silly that I'd get rejected from a phone store, it's not like i'm asking for a big loan, or buying a house or anything important like that, its just a blooming phone.

11-03-2015, 22:12	#33
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by benbenalen Thanks for checking, If its okay to them and to you, then it's really silly that I'd get rejected from a phone store, it's not like i'm asking for a big loan, or buying a house or anything important like that, its just a blooming phone. It might be the "months since last payment problem" that's an issue. If they think you aren't great at paying back a few quid a month on a credit card (even if you have the money) they might think you'll do it for a phone too One thing to consider is that for a house you might be more likely to make payments because no one wants to lose their home, whereas some people consider a phone or credit card an irrelevance that they don't think they need to pay back if money gets tight. If you can get a few more months of timely payment they might give you a contract

11-03-2015, 22:25	#34
benbenalen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Albert Square Posts: 10,674	Quote: Originally Posted by moox It might be the "months since last payment problem" that's an issue. If they think you aren't great at paying back a few quid a month on a credit card (even if you have the money) they might think you'll do it for a phone too One thing to consider is that for a house you might be more likely to make payments because no one wants to lose their home, whereas some people consider a phone or credit card an irrelevance that they don't think they need to pay back if money gets tight. If you can get a few more months of timely payment they might give you a contract On that time 6 months ago, was only because I was unemployed I ran out of money to pay them back fully, but I'm financially okay now to pay and keep up to date with the payments. I'l probably just pop into the shops and ask, no harm in that.

11-03-2015, 22:42	#35
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	There's no harm, but the shop staff have no access to your credit file and no information on how scoring is done so they'll be of little help. It might be that you gave them the wrong name or something like you suggested earlier. It is worth a go with another company, but don't go crazy as a burst of applications in a short space of time can harm your credit record. It may be that you just need to keep a good file for a bit longer before applying again and for now maybe buy something not on credit and leave it a while while your credit record gets more months without any missed payments.

11-03-2015, 23:33	#36
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by moox It might be the "months since last payment problem" that's an issue. If they think you aren't great at paying back a few quid a month on a credit card (even if you have the money) they might think you'll do it for a phone too One thing to consider is that for a house you might be more likely to make payments because no one wants to lose their home, whereas some people consider a phone or credit card an irrelevance that they don't think they need to pay back if money gets tight. If you can get a few more months of timely payment they might give you a contract This is true. I sort of missed that bit. Damn.

12-03-2015, 00:22	#37
Stiggles Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 9,293	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk Stiggles there are credit builder credit cards from people like CapitalOne with just a few hundred pound limit which you could use and pay off in full. Run one of those for a little while and then you'll be able to get phone contracts. Good idea. Will look into that thanks

12-03-2015, 01:29	#38
KieranDS Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Posts: 15,938	You might be able to get a contract it you pay some money up front. Some networks are generally more lenient with this kind of thing. However, as you've mentioned you've missed credit payments previously, this will affect your credit score highly.

12-03-2015, 07:10	#39
lamby Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 3,332	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke There are many weird reasons also. For example a family member had a bad credit rating because they had too many credit cards. Most of them had no balance, they were empty and there wasn't much debt but they didn't like it because there was the obvious potential to run up huge amounts of debt. I think the total limit of all of them was about 90 grand. Yes, do what others have said. When I wanted to check I just signed up with Experian for my "first month free". You get the full works including a full report (which can be very interesting). You can then pay the whopping 15 quid per month or cancel. I opted for option 3 which is to pay them £2 (or it might be £3) per month and with this, if there is ever any issues flagged on your rating, they notify you about it. Simlpes! The last time I looked though mine was 998 because I'm a very good boy! An individuals credit rating isn't linked to anyone else in the house, urban myth.

12-03-2015, 08:10	#40
tony le mesmer Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 802	Is buying the phone outright not an option? It makes more sense than buying out your contract. EDIT: Never mind, just read you already bought out your contract. What deal were you trying to get out of interest? EE can be quite expensive direct.

12-03-2015, 08:16	#41
billiesmith Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: on the edge of nowhere Posts: 7,229	My son was refused credit with O2 and we think it was due to the fact he wasn't on the electoral roll as nothing else fitted. This was an online application. http://service.o2.co.uk/IQ/SRVS/CGI-...le),CASE=12573 Next day he went into a generic phone shop (such as Carphone Warehouse) and got a contract with Vodafone with no problems. He is now on the Electoral Roll

12-03-2015, 10:51	#42
WelshBluebird Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 720	Quote: Originally Posted by billiesmith My son was refused credit with O2 and we think it was due to the fact he wasn't on the electoral roll as nothing else fitted. This was an online application. http://service.o2.co.uk/IQ/SRVS/CGI-...le),CASE=12573 Next day he went into a generic phone shop (such as Carphone Warehouse) and got a contract with Vodafone with no problems. He is now on the Electoral Roll The "Poor credit history at your address" seems very harsh on those of us who rent! Especially those of us who are younger who bounce around between addresses a bit more.

12-03-2015, 12:04	#43
FreeFool Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 125	Do providers run credit checks when you upgrade on an existing contract? I ask because I am due an upgrade next month (in time for the new flagships), since we took out the Three One Plan deal, we have bought a house, a car and got married and have since recovered completely from some credit card debt. If they run another check I fear it will be quite different from two years ago??. Any one care to break the news I may be denied an upgrade to a shiny new S6??? Thanks.

12-03-2015, 12:36	#44
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by WelshBluebird The "Poor credit history at your address" seems very harsh on those of us who rent! Especially those of us who are younger who bounce around between addresses a bit more. Its a good thing that it's a myth and not actually true then .

12-03-2015, 12:40	#45
floozie_21 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,846	Quote: Originally Posted by lamby An individuals credit rating isn't linked to anyone else in the house, urban myth. Unless you're financially associated to them such as joint loans etc.

12-03-2015, 13:21	#46
billiesmith Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: on the edge of nowhere Posts: 7,229	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 Its a good thing that it's a myth and not actually true then . If you look at the link I posted above O2 says it is one of the reasons they will fail you automatically. It may not be true for every provider of credit, but it is for O2.

DS Forums

I failed a credit check when buying phone.

12-03-2015, 14:11	#47
WelshBluebird Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 720	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 Its a good thing that it's a myth and not actually true then . Not according to O2!

12-03-2015, 17:48	#48
Chrysalis Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leics Posts: 581	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Oh and I just remembered.... A few months ago my Cousin needed temporary Internet so I suggested we go into the EE shop in Plymouth and get her an EE monthly SIM and she could borrow my EE MiFi (as I no longer need it since the SIM is now in my Huawei Router). She was credit checked at the time. Passed! We came home and she then rang Vodafone to upgrade her iPhone (she wanted me there so she asked the right questions). They credit checked her and she failed!!!! Why? Because the EE and Vodafone shops are in the same street (facing each other actually) and this was flagged as suspicious. Because of this it was surprisingly easy to sort the problem once they realised what was going on. as I said before the scoring is done internally by the company and different companies use different ways to score. They dont just contact a 3rd party agency and ask for a score. The scores agencies give to those who pay are emulated scores which are not used by companies. Also a recent credit check will "usually" lower the score. (yes just having a check done).

13-03-2015, 09:42	#49
benbenalen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Albert Square Posts: 10,674	I called Equifax last night, and they don't see any problems, nothing major, they don't see any problem why EE rejected when doing a check. I'm worried if I shop around 02, Carphone Warehouse, and they do a credit check and ruin my credit score.

14-03-2015, 23:23	#50
Chrysalis Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leics Posts: 581	You probably be fine with say 2 or 3 checks in a month but I think more then that it will look dodgy to them. The best way to improve your chances is to build up a payment history with the company, so get a PAYG sim if you need to and top it up by say £10 a month, and that tells them you can manage a £10 a month contract.