Mobile Phone contract with bad credit history

thepurplegoldfish

Hi All

I got into a little bit of financial trouble a few years back (not all my fault, but regardless it was all in my name), subsequently I did a Debt Relief Order and as a result I find it very difficult to obtain any credit (which doesn't bother me too much) although I would like to switch networks as Virgin Mobile's signal and customer services are pants. I want to stay on contract as it's better value for money and it helps build up my credit history.

I wanted to know whether anyone knew of any networks that can look at my current financial status (I've not defaulted or missed payments in years and I now have substantial savings) rather than just declining based on the DRO or whether there are networks with lower credit scoring needs than others?

Any Help Much Appreciated...

grumbler

thepurplegoldfish wrote: »

Hi All

I got into a little bit of financial trouble a few years back (not all my fault, but regardless it was all in my name), subsequently I did a Debt Relief Order and as a result I find it very difficult to obtain any credit (which doesn't bother me too much) although I would like to switch networks as Virgin Mobile's signal and customer services are pants.

Beware that you'll get the same signal with T-mobile and Orange.

I want to stay on contract as it's better value for money and it helps build up my credit history.

The former isn't always the case.

I wanted to know whether anyone knew of any networks that can look at my current financial status (I've not defaulted or missed payments in years and I now have substantial savings)

Nobody takes savings into account. 'Three' are known to be more tollerant (less 'choosy') than other networks.

Which Is Easiest To Get With Poor Credit Rating?

Mrs_Ryan

The bloke in the Carphone Warehouse told me 3 have really tightened up recently and their credit checks are now quite tough.
Allegedly Orange are quite lenient (they gave me a 24 month contract on a Samsung Galaxy S2 and my credit rating is shocking... I've got a SIM only on Tesco as well and that went through easy as well)

Comstock

grumbler wrote: »

Beware that you'll get the same signal with T-mobile and Orange (as on Virgin)

Does Virgin use the combined T-Mob/Orange network yet?

split_second

what contract are you on now? do you stay within your allowances?

if you want something cheap and cheerful, i.e no smartphone or data there are some very cheap deals around

chanz4

GIFF GAFF sim, beats all

grumbler

Firstly, it doesn't beat all.
Secondly, it doesn't help to "build up ... credit history" that the OP wants.

jenniewb

OP: I have a DRO and found it affected my credit history with Virgin when I enquired about their home services a year ago.

I was told that the reason was "because you were bankcrupt" and mentioned the date of my DRO. I was told they checked with Equifax and this was how they obtained their results, infact I was NOT made bankcrupt, it was a DRO which is similar but different. I told them this and they said "ah but we can't go against what they have on their systems" which then got my back up. With a DRO it takes less time for it to clear from your credit rating then it does with a Bankcrupcy.

So I joined Equifax and asked why they had it down as a Bankcrupcy but not a DRO? They told me they had 'never heard of a DRO"?!!! I then asked to speak to someone higher up as I wanted to complain, in enough time I had to put through a full complaints form and eventually they changed it.

I thought nothing of it until Talktalk messed me around AGAIN with rubbish system failures and I went to enquire about Virgin home services again....this time I was accepted!

So to cut a long story short, get a free trial on Equifax (via quidco or topcashback) and see what they have on their systems, if you need to complain as they had the wrong information down its not easy but is do-able. It may take some time for them to fix everything to Virgin's standards and I am told they keep credit check data for 3 months post checking so hold off until next year and it may well be sorted.

grumbler

jenniewb wrote: »

...With a DRO it takes less time for it to clear from your credit rating then it does with a Bankcrupcy....

Why? AFAIK all records remain in the files for about 6 years. It's up to the lender to stop taking some records into account earlier.

jenniewb

grumbler wrote: »

Why? AFAIK all records remain in the files for about 6 years. It's up to the lender to stop taking some records into account earlier.

I was told bankcrupcy can remain in some part on your credit file for between 8-15 years. A DRO would stay on your credit file for between 5-8 years. Its a big difference to me: I also read in the small print it would remain as a debt to pay back if I cam into money for up to 8 years, Bankcrupcy would be longer.