Trying to *Tart*.

**Patty**

Hello

I have a £2500 balance on a Barclay Platinum card. I've been trying to save money on the interest by tarting the debt to a card with 0%, however, i've applied for 2 cards & been turned down for both. I'm worried that repeated credit searches on my file will result in negatives.

I have a copy of my file from Experian, there is nothing derogatory on there and never has been. All my payments are up to date.

I think the problem is more likely to be that i don't work. I have a severely disabled child who requires my care 24/7. My husband works but is unable to obtain credit due to being a recently discharged bankrupt. Therefore, most of my individual income comprises of *benefits*...Tax credits, child maintenance for my other children etc.

Is there any card out there that would help me ? After having been a customer of Barclays for 20 years, i object to paying their latest hike in interest on my card which is now 21.9% !!

Thanks for any replies

Phil3822

Just wondering, on your credit file do you association with your husband? Such as a mortgage, bank account ec together? If so this can and will affect your credit rating. Just a thought...

nomoneytoday

The lenders who normally support unemployed and/or bankrupt people tend not to be the mainstream lenders. There is extra risk of default (if you fail to pay one month they won't get a lot if you are solely on benefits)

Sorry its not the answer you wanted to read.

thumshie

I don't know how they use the information, but some credit card companies only ask for household income - https://www.gemoney.co.uk is one that i know-personal income is optional- hopefully others on the forums have more information????. If you're credit rating is ok, and it's only the income they may be an option - 0% 12 Months 2.5% fee.

To quote their web site:

are you 18 years or over?

have you been resident in UK for at least 1 year?

do you have a phone number registered to your address?

do you have a good credit history?

do you have a current bank account?

are you or your partner in permanent paid employment, min 16 hrs/week, self-employed, retired or in receipt of invalidity or disablity allowance?

You should search this forum for GE, as I think they were ridiculously strict(or was that the post office/ their cashabck card???)

Remember if you finances are associated with your husband -as phil3822 pointed out- his bankruptcy will show/be associated, and so may effect your application..

**Patty**

Thanks for your replies...

No....my husband is definately not associated with me on my credit file. Never in a million years.
The debts he got lumbered with were from a previous marriage......i was just the one that cleaned up the mess

Funnily enough.....the only person shown under the association part was my ex-husbands current wife! Our names are similar..and she had moved in with my ex at my former marital home.........but i had that removed.

As regards to my husband, nothing is shown via association either by name or by address, so i didn't see the point of having a Notice of Disassociation placed on my file.

Seems a bit strange that someone with a good credit record for 20 odd years, in receipt of a regular income, cannot get a different card. I have an account with First Direct that has a £500 overdraft facility but yet they won't give me a credit card!

Looks like i'm stuck with the platinum barclaycard then.......