We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

missing credit card history

I'm trying to up my credit rating before re-applying for a credit card and although I've had credit cards with Natwest for over 20 years, they haven't provided any info/history to credit reference agencies.

They say they weren't required to pass any info/history on pre 1999 and post 1999 I would have to register my request with them for it to be passed on.

If I registered now, only info from this month onwards would be provided as they can't back-date my records. This would be pretty useless as a track record.

Apparently this lack of credit card history is what has scuppered my recent credit card application and I'm amazed at how Natwest is indirectly penalising me for having credit cards with them for so long.

Anybody pointers greatly appreciated.
«13

Comments

  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 30,008 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Get a new credit card?

    Do you have any other history in the form of catalogue accounts, mobile contract, overdraft, mortgage etc?

    If you have none, I would suggest a new credit card with NatWest.
  • juxta_3
    juxta_3 Posts: 41 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    The reason my credit card history is so important is because my mortgage is too recent to be "history" and mobile accounts don't carry much weight apparently.
    My overdraft is with Natwest also but there is no history of that on my credit report either and how would a new credit card with Natwest help?
  • CannyJock
    CannyJock Posts: 3,838 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    juxta wrote: »
    how would a new credit card with Natwest help?

    Because a new account would be after 1999 and reported ;) If you've been with Natwest for that period of time and can speak to a manager to fasttrack an application without relying solely on your credit report (which you know is light) then that's your best chance of getting a card.

    Will still take time to build up a bit of history, but at least it'll start the ball rolling.
    "A child of five could understand this. Fetch me a child of five." - Groucho Marx
  • juxta_3
    juxta_3 Posts: 41 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the replies but I need another credit card now not when I've built up history.
    I've had and still have a credit card since around 1989 from Natwest.

    I just need Natwest to provide this info to the credit rating agencies that would allow anyone checking me out that I have some sort of credit history - in fact over 20 years worth.

    How can they choose who to provide data for and who not to.
    Even my current account with them which I've had for even longer is not mentioned in the credit report.

    Something's not right.
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 30,008 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thanks for the replies but I need another credit card now not when I've built up history.
    So what's wrong with another one from NatWest??
    The reason this is being suggested is that they have your internal history whereas other lenders only have the credit report.
    How can they choose who to provide data for and who not to.
    They CAN do it because it's the law.
    The probable reason why they won't do it is because their computer systems can't easily do it.

    Can you explain what's wrong with another card from NatWest?
    If you have a specific requirement then peopel might have suggestions if they know what it is, but we can't help unless you tell us what you need.
  • savagej
    savagej Posts: 1,158 Forumite
    You would be best signing the agreement for information to go on from now on for both your credit card and current account and waiting.

    There is very little else you can do, other than apply then appeal on the basis that historical information is not showing because of how long you have had the accounts and send them years worths of statement to wade through so they can see what your info would be if it was collated on their computer screen.
  • juxta_3
    juxta_3 Posts: 41 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    The reason for not getting another card from Natwest is that they've told me, as I already have credit cards with them, I would not be allowed to do the 15 month 0% interest free balance transfer they're offering with their Platinum card which is what I need.

    Not only are they refusing me their card, but by not providing any of my history with them to credit reference agencies is stopping me from getting a card from anywhere else.
  • noah271007
    noah271007 Posts: 1,248 Forumite
    Have you ever thought of closing Natwest CC account.... i am sure Natwest would have passed on info to the CRA's to state that account is settled. It may not show the account history payments, but if it does show the opening date (pre 99) then you almost solved the problem. Otherwise, the only way to get it shown if you default!! LOL.
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 30,008 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Have you tried talking to an account manager at Natwest rather than just call center person?
    i.e.. how far have you taken it.
    It seems the first tack to try is to persuade them to give you the BT deal you want, but you need to go high enough to find someone who can do that.
    You could try a formal complaint but ultimately I don't think they are obliged, you are unfortunately stuck with building your history the slow way.
  • juxta_3
    juxta_3 Posts: 41 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Closing the account is an option but I wouldn't trust them to pass anything on based on what's happened so far. So prob best to sort this out whilst I'm a "customer".

    Whomever I've spoken to at the bank looks at me blankly when asked about them passing on data to CRAs. One even tried calling the call centre himself. Pushed for time on and with no joy from the person on the other end - he said he'll try by Monday but I'm not holding my breath for a solution from him.

    This is the first time I've ever had to consider shifting debt that needs a bit more time to be paid off, onto another credit card and I would have thought that over 25 years (sounds like a slow way of building a track record to me) of being with Natwest as a half decent customer and a "normal" track record would see me right when the time came.
    I also thought - perhaps wrongly - that it was my right to have this data passed on to the CRAs, just as it's the lenders right to check my report out.

    Is this a unique case?
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 241K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.