Change address & refused credit

mcbi4kh2

Is it possible for credit to be refused because you are associated with a particular address?

I have been applying for a phone contract, one week ago I was approved, but I returned it as I didn't like the phone.

A couple of days ago I tried ordering a different phone on the same network and was told the network (T-mob) rejected it. Thinking this was because I had just cancelled a contract I ordered another phone yesterday on a different network (o2) and was refused again.

The only thing that changed between being approved and rejected is I changed my billing address to my new house (had never got around to doing it previously as I had moved out of my parents).

The woman who lived here before us had some serious credit issues, bailiffs have been around on three separate occasions looking for her. Unpaid bills are always being sent to us. Also she is also still on the electoral role at this address.

I did some searching and was told that the address is irrelevant to a credit search.
I got my report from Experian, besides one missed payment 3 or 4 months ago my report was very good (score was 929 out of 999).

elfen

Are you on the electoral role at your new address? Have you checked your credit reports (don't bother with the score, it's just there to make money - all lenders have their own criteria)

Credit report is done on a person, not a place - so not attached to an address.

mcbi4kh2

Yes I'm on the electoral role at my new address, I'm still listed as being on it at my parents address as well.
I have been on the electoral role at my new address for a while (4 months), but I have only just gotten around to changing my billing address.

Could this have affected he search? As in my credit file hasn't been updated with my new address yet?

elfen

That is going to affect is, as is being on the electoral role at two homes (unless you're a student, and it's your term-time and holiday addresses) If you're not, ro you need to remove yourself, let the council where your mum and dad are registered know so they can take you off

mcbi4kh2

Thanks for the advice, ill get removed off the electoral role and try again.

CannyJock

Have you checked your credit report to see if every application has resulted in a search?

Your address is important as it is part of the information used to find your credit history with the CRA's - anybody else previously at the address isn't relevant, but your own address does matter.

milan_ns

Banks (any credit providers for that matter) don't like when you change addresses (fresh address on established credit report seems like a possible fraud).

If you have recently moved, it's best to use old (established) billing address (if possible) and then, once you've been approved, call in to update the address to the new one.

Once you've been on your new address for like 6-12 months, start using it as a new billing address.

zppp

milan_ns wrote: »

Banks (any credit providers for that matter) don't like when you change addresses (fresh address on established credit report seems like a possible fraud).

It can make a bit of a difference, but so long as your new address is on your credit file, it won't make much of a difference at all.

milan_ns wrote: »

If you have recently moved, it's best to use old (established) billing address (if possible) and then, once you've been approved, call in to update the address to the new one.

Once you've been on your new address for like 6-12 months, start using it as a new billing address.

That is fraud. It is using false information to obtain credit and is not advisable.

savagej

I was just about to say exactly the same thing!

milan_ns

zppp wrote: »

That is fraud. It is using false information to obtain credit and is not advisable.

Fraud is a bit strong word here.

The problem is that it takes some time for your credit file to be updated with the new address (could be a month or two). Until the change filters through the system, the person in question is unlikely to get ANY credit because credit providers won't be able to confirm identity.

You're not defrauding, but simply helping speed-up the process...

PS Technically it would be providing false information, but than again, who is to say that at which particular moment in time are you obliged to change the billing address when moving home

PPS Changing address makes huge difference - before moving I got a £10k car loan on the spot, but after moving I couldn't get a mobile contract for like few months.