credit file problems

spaghetti_monster

I'm trying to sort out my credit file and getting very confused!

Firstly I'm trying to reduce the cost of my debt but have been refused by 2 credit cards (halifax about a year ago and capital 1 recently).
When I checked out my files I realised that equifax had NO info on me at all! I got them to re-check the electoral roll details and they managed to put those on, but there is still nothing else.
I've had a lloydstsb credit card since 2004 (14%), lloydstsb loan since 2000(10%) - all monthly payments received, no problems, no defaults etc. Not to mention all utility/phone/etc payments made on time and a regular moderately ok income.
I called lloydstsb to see if there was anything they could do - they said no, but I was such a good (gullible??) customer they could offer me £16,000 credit on the spot! (But of course not at a competitive rate!)

So if I'm such a good customer, why did I get refused those other cards? Would it be because of the blank file?

Would it help to put details of my past credit in the "notice of correction"? Does it help to have as much info as possible on the file? The other agencies (experian, call credit) have just details of electoral roll and credit card.

Sorry to ask so much, but I'm afraid I'll just keep getting refused and I want to knock this persistant debt on the head!
All other aspects of Money-Saving are going very well but this is the biggie!

ms_london

To be honest, sometimes it is a blessing in disguise that you cannot get any more credit (even if you are trying to get a 0% card to balance transfer your debt!!). If your willpower isnt strong enough then you will run up more debt.

Have you posted your SOA?

I couldnt get a 0% card or a consolidation loan for love nor money, so in the end I had to tackle the debt as it was - and I am pleased I did it this way in the end, as if I had opted for a consolidation loan I would probably still be paying it off. And if I had been given more credit, I probably would have spent it - thats just me though!!

spaghetti_monster

thanks for the advice - you're right that more credit can be a temptation but I know I've got the will-power to resist! My situation is that I recently pulled my head out of the sand and realised I've spent most of my adult life in about £2000/4000 in debt.
My SOA is difficult to say - I'm a freelancer and don't have a regular lifestyle/income - but I'm now keeping a diary of all expenditure to try and pin down exact figures and make a proper budget.

In the meantime I've done as much of the moneysaving stuff as I can - getting best deals on phone, utilities. I do the whole packed lunch/walking to work/use the library/no luxuries cutting back thing - I am really watching the pennies!

I just find that the cost of my debt is the most expensive thing and would love to have either 0% or a fixed low rate and I think that this thing with the credit file may have something to do with why I got refused credit cards. Do you know why you got refused?