Credit

[Chrysalis]

I think if you have sentinel protection on debit cards their is some protection for internet purchases.

I find I am in agreement with greencreeper, I get turned down when I have applied, few facts.

On electrol Roll
Been at current address over 3 years.
No unpaid debts.
Checked credit rating and its clean. (experian)

I suspect their is location you live as an factor and if you are a graduate or not, it is certianly odd people with already thousands of debt can keep on getting more and more cards.

[nffc]

Originally Posted by Millay

but you are happy to hand over your debit card in a restaurant...

No, I use cash.

pwnd

[me283]

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

I think if you have sentinel protection on debit cards their is some protection for internet purchases.

I find I am in agreement with greencreeper, I get turned down when I have applied, few facts.

On electrol Roll
Been at current address over 3 years.
No unpaid debts.
Checked credit rating and its clean. (experian)

I suspect their is location you live as an factor and if you are a graduate or not, it is certianly odd people with already thousands of debt can keep on getting more and more cards.

Credit card companies use a scoring technique. Putting it simply, you get points for living at the same address for more tha 3 years, you get points for owning your home, having equity etc, having a good history with other lenders, amongst other things. You get deducted points for renting, too many address changes, bad credit history, as well as some other strange stuff like having too many credit references taken up!

I would suggest checking with the register of County Court Judgements (the local County Court can tell you how), as it's not unknown for someone assessing your credit rating to see a CCJ registered at the address and downgrade the person. This can be a particular problem if you live in a shared house, or short-term rented accommodation.

The main agencies such as Equifax also track payments for utility bills like gas, water, electric, telephone. It is supposedly in your favour if you pay on the first bill, but against you if you wait for a final demand. By that stage the companies may have passed it to their own internal collections department, which gives you a bit of a black mark. This is all assuming the bills are in your name.

When all is said and done, if they refuse you credit just ask them why, and they will explain it to you. If you question their assessment, most will give you a small limit to start, which allows you to build some history with them.
__________________

Originally Posted by Millay

but you are happy to hand over your debit card in a restaurant...

Interestingly I did this in Poland recently and was given the strangest of looks. The same thing happened in Greece. It appears that in these countries they don't let the card out of their sight. In fact, in Poland they ran a public awareness campaign warning people not to hand over a credit card and let anyone take it away.

[greencreeper]

I'm on the electoral roll. I've been at my current address almost 2 years - my previous address, nearly 8 years. I've never had a credit card or loan. I currently have a (used) overdraft of £1250. My only major debt is my student loan. My salary is £14,500 p.a. but bonuses and overtime probably add another £2000 on top. I tried various places, including my own bank which I've been with since I left home at 17/18. Egg was a joke - I tried and was turned down. Then I got a pay rise so I thought I'd try again. It wanted a password. Password? It seems that I entered a password but can I hell as remember it. Now I'm locked out and have to phone them I gave up.

Ah There are debt collectors chasing the previous tenants I didn't think the house mattered - always thought it was the person. The last time I check with the credit reference agencies, I was all clean

I'm was thinking of buying a new PC on a credit card - would take me ages to save up

[Angua]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

I'm on the electoral roll. I've been at my current address almost 2 years - my previous address, nearly 8 years. I've never had a credit card or loan. I currently have a (used) overdraft of £1250. My only major debt is my student loan. My salary is £14,500 p.a. but bonuses and overtime probably add another £2000 on top. I tried various places, including my own bank which I've been with since I left home at 17/18. Egg was a joke - I tried and was turned down. Then I got a pay rise so I thought I'd try again. It wanted a password. Password? It seems that I entered a password but can I hell as remember it. Now I'm locked out and have to phone them I gave up.

In which case go to your bank and ask for a loan over 12 months to pay off your overdraft or buy the computer. Don't be late with payments and in 12 months time you should have an acceptable credit reference (plus you will have been at your current address for 3 years by then).

[me283]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

I'm on the electoral roll. I've been at my current address almost 2 years - my previous address, nearly 8 years. I've never had a credit card or loan. I currently have a (used) overdraft of £1250. My only major debt is my student loan. My salary is £14,500 p.a. but bonuses and overtime probably add another £2000 on top. I tried various places, including my own bank which I've been with since I left home at 17/18. Egg was a joke - I tried and was turned down. Then I got a pay rise so I thought I'd try again. It wanted a password. Password? It seems that I entered a password but can I hell as remember it. Now I'm locked out and have to phone them I gave up.

Ah There are debt collectors chasing the previous tenants I didn't think the house mattered - always thought it was the person. The last time I check with the credit reference agencies, I was all clean

I'm was thinking of buying a new PC on a credit card - would take me ages to save up

Superb! At least you got to the bottom of it. You may be able to explain the situation if you speak to the various credit card companies. As a thought, I would try First Direct. If you open an account with them they usually offer you a Visa card.

Good luck!

[Graham]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Ah There are debt collectors chasing the previous tenants I didn't think the house mattered - always thought it was the person.

In which case you need to lodge a "Letter of disassociation" with Experian and Equifax stating that you are nothing to do with these people or their debts.

That should help a lot.

[Paul M]

Originally Posted by nffc

All the same, I so wouldn't do that because of the security risk.

Somewhat paranoid ? That's a bit like not crossing the road because of the risk.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

<snip>

I'm was thinking of buying a new PC on a credit card - would take me ages to save up

Especially when you have difficulty getting a card, it may be worth looking at other options for getting credit.

www.moneysavingexpert.com has loads of good articles.

[greencreeper]

Originally Posted by me283

Superb! At least you got to the bottom of it. You may be able to explain the situation if you speak to the various credit card companies. As a thought, I would try First Direct. If you open an account with them they usually offer you a Visa card.

Good luck!

Well I might have, yeah. I've been sending the letters back but I gave up. Even phoned them but it went in one ear and out the other. I'll check with the credit agencies again.

You don't feel like a grown up until you have a credit card

[punky]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Ah There are debt collectors chasing the previous tenants I didn't think the house mattered - always thought it was the person. The last time I check with the credit reference agencies, I was all clean

County Court Judgements, which are normally given in the case of bad debts are always assigned to addresses.

That is why when have credit checks you have to give all your previous addresses.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

<Snip>

You don't feel like a grown up until you have a credit card

I have two credit cards and have yet to feel like a grown up

(I think that's a good thing btw)

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by punky

County Court Judgements, which are normally given in the case of bad debts are always assigned to addresses.

That is why when have credit checks you have to give all your previous addresses.

That used to be the case, but I thought because of the halabalu over people moving into a new house and having their credit rating wiped out because of a previous owner, the debt/poor credit is on the person at the address, not the address itself.
I know IVA's don't affect the property or anyone else's credit rating.

[me283]

Originally Posted by danielf

I have two credit cards, and have yet to feel like a grown up

(I think that's a good thing btw)

Always remember...

Growing old is compulsory, but growing up is optional...
__________________

Originally Posted by Xaccers

That used to be the case, but I thought because of the halabalu over people moving into a new house and having their credit rating wiped out because of a previous owner, the debt/poor credit is on the person at the address, not the address itself.
I know IVA's don't affect the property or anyone else's credit rating.

Sadly quite a lot of credit vetting is done manually so there is an element of human error potentially. People see the address is the same and don't look further.

[greencreeper]

I've applied online to be sent my credit report - both Experian and Equifax. It's interesting that the really big bold flashy text advertises a credit report for around £10, but the statutory report is only £2. The link to that is a bit harder to find - very well hidden in the case of Experian. Anyone would think they're after your money Just a week to wait for the good/bad news.