Sony LCD TVs, Electoral Rolls and Credit Searches

chocky909 · 22-07-2006, 13:07

I've been trying in vain for the past week to purchase a Sony LCD from Dixons online site. It's the best price around with my discount codes. Only thing is I need to get credit as I can't afford ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£600 in one go. Anyway, they offer 'Buy Now Pay in 12 months" on all purchase over ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£150 through HFC Bank.

So, I've tried to put this order through about 6 times now and every time it concludes with "Unfortunately HFC Bank Ltd has not been able to make an immediate decision on your credit application".

Anyway, once I figured out that it wasn't a problem with the Dixons website I rang them and was told that HFC Bank had refused my application and I should speak to them, gave me their number.

Rang the number this morning and was told that the reason my application was being denied was because I'm not registered to vote at my address. Now, I've lived at this address for 7 years and have voted on a few occasions (not a big believer in current governments) but always recieve my voting cards and always* return any electoral forms they send me.

So why would the credit search that HFC bank use be showing me as unregistered to vote at my current address? They won't listen to reason and won't offer me any way to prove my residency or proof of address. All I can think of is to make sure I'm registered - I've downloaded a PDF of an 'Electoral Register Form' so I'll be sure to send that right now, but how do I check these things. I've tried to find out but haven't figured it just yet. Also, how long would it take for me to show as registered to vote by HFC.

The funny thing is I successfully applied for credit just 6 weeks ago through a different website and finance company (digital direct and V12 Finance) and they put it through no problem, no mention of electoral registry. Also just applied for a new bank account last week and have had no problems there. I've got an Argos card too.

*I do admit I may have failed to return the last item of correspondence the council sent me but does that mean I'm instantly unregistered? If so that's ridiculous. What if things are lost in the post? I actually voted in the last General Election from this address, surely that is proof enough?

Anyway, just wondering if anyone has any advice. Apart from filling in an 'Electoral Register Form' that is.

**Rob** · 22-07-2006, 13:15

This may help you find out if you are on the register or not. http://www.electoralcommission.org.u...ote/access.cfm

I'd be more inclinded to suggest it's a software glitch with the bank system, than you are not on a register, or you would'nt get creidt elsewhere. However too many recent changes in bank accounts, credit applications and the like can all affect your score.

Taf · 22-07-2006, 13:18

You should be able to register on a website (I did) but it may be too late this time round. AND you need codes that are printed on the reminder form....

chocky909 · 22-07-2006, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

This may help you find out if you are on the register or not. http://www.electoralcommission.org.u...ote/access.cfm

I'd be more inclinded to suggest it's a software glitch with the bank system, than you are not on a register, or you would'nt get creidt elsewhere. However too many recent changes in bank accounts, credit applications and the like can all affect your score.

Thanks. That's where I downloaded my form. It would seem the only way to confirm whether I'm on the register or not is to ring my local authority but they're not open on the weekends so I can't just yet.

I found this bit on their FAQ section too:

Quote:

Why can't I get credit?
If you have been denied credit because your bank or credit reference agency are unable to verify your details on the electoral register, this is because the electoral register is often used for credit referencing purposes to counteract fraud. In this case, you need to contact your local electoral registration office for confirmation that you are registered. They will be able to supply you with a letter confirming your details on the electoral register, possibly at a charge. Sometimes the records maintained by credit reference agencies are incorrect ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ they should be able to supply you with a copy of your record so that you can check the details.
If you have already provided confirmation that you are registered to your bank or credit reference agency, then any further problems will have to be taken up with them, not with your local electoral registration office.
If you are not registered to vote, you can download and complete an electoral registration form from this website.

I think you're right too about it being an error on their part. Thing is the guys i've spoken to at HFC haven't given me any options in relation to correcting what their credit search says. So even if I can get written confirmation from my Local Authority I wouldn't know how to use it.

I'm starting to think I may just have to go elsewhere. It's probably going to be more trouble than it's worth to 'clear my good name' and if I find that i AM registered when I ring the council on Monday then I will just leave it and go elsewhere.

chocky909 · 22-07-2006, 17:00

I've also sent and angry but explanatory email to HFC customer services. Hopefully they'll be more helpful than the call centre I keep getting put through to.

jellybaby · 22-07-2006, 17:04

There should also be a copy of the electrol roll at your local library

monkey2468 · 22-07-2006, 17:12

I would purchase your credit file and see whats on it. I buy mine every year as there are ALWAYS discrepencieson it, some of them quite major. If there are discrepencies, you can have them changed free of charge within 28 days.

chocky909 · 22-07-2006, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkey2468

I would purchase your credit file and see whats on it. I buy mine every year as there are ALWAYS discrepencieson it, some of them quite major. If there are discrepencies, you can have them changed free of charge within 28 days.

Hmm. Where can I get this? HFC guy pointed me at this site. I don't understand, is there more than one credit agency? Do they all use the same sources? If you change discrepancies on one credit list do they all change or is it dependant on which credit check the company you want credit from choose to use?

Thanks Jelly too.

Gareth · 22-07-2006, 17:50

Yep, there are more than one. Experian is another.

TheDaddy · 22-07-2006, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareth

Yep, there are more than one. Experian is another.

Thats right http://www.experian.co.uk/creditchecks/ it's free if you cancel in the first month.

chocky909 · 22-07-2006, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareth

Yep, there are more than one. Experian is another.

Yes, but does that mean if you view one agency file you've seen them all, and if you amend mistakes on one then all the other files are changed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Thats right http://www.experian.co.uk/creditchecks/ it's free if you cancel in the first month.

I don't have a VISA or Mastercard so I can't use Experian.

chocky909 · 24-07-2006, 23:05

BUMP

Does anyone know how this credit thing works?

Basically, if I pay one of these companies to see my credit file, and get any mistakes changed, does that mean that all other credit agencies will have my details changed?

What are these companies? Do they gather details independantly or do they all use the same sources?

Would I have to use the same credit check company that HFC use to clear my name?

I can't believe I have to pay them to correct THEIR mistakes...

TheDaddy · 24-07-2006, 23:10

Have a look here http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=34849

nffc · 24-07-2006, 23:14

Here's a novel one - get credit from someone else, then buy the TV from Dixons without using HFC (eek)

chocky909 · 25-07-2006, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Have a look here http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=34849

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by nffc

Here's a novel one - get credit from someone else, then buy the TV from Dixons without using HFC (eek)

Dixons is the best price I can find for a Sony 26S2010U LCD at ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£606. This is actually ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£656+del. I have discount codes that give free delivery and ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£50 off ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£500.

The next best price I can find (and I have used AV Forum and price comparison sites) is ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£628 + ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£20 del. Also there is a charge for '9 months interest free credit' finance of ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£25.

Dixons finance has no ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£25 fee and is 12 month interest free credit.

I make that as a saving of ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£67. Worth having IMO.

For some strange reason I've never considered getting a loan and then paying cash. Is it easy enough to get say ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£600 from a bank on a similar interest free basis?

ANYHOO

I'm going to try to order this again tomorrow. Only this time I'm going to use my full name. I've been using my shortened name and I just realised. Obviously this kind of thing could confuse a computerised credit check. This would definately tie in with me not being on the Electoral Roll I think.

I'm actually pretty hopeful. I'll report back tomorrow.