Is having a landline beneficial?

Phil3822

Hi all, in terms of getting credit is having a landline beneficial? I have read that it helps but I was after some more info on if this is the case. Why and how do they check you have one other than application stage.

All and any info would be great.

Tixy

Its considered by some lenders as a sign of stability - and is just one of the many factors they take into account.

Not having a landline doesn't mean you'll never get credit.

exel1966

Speaking from personal experience I don't think it makes any difference at all, not one little bit. I've never given my landline to any financial institution, only ever give out my mobile number. I've never been refused credit and have multiple cards (for stoozing) and have what I consider to be good or exceptionally good limits (7.5k - 25K).

There are far too many other more important factors taken into consideration when weighing up an applicants suitability.

andersh

Never given mine out to anyone, which I purely have for broadband. Never had problems getting credit. If they insisted, I'd probably give them my desk phone at work anyway. There are much better ways to improve your credit rating than spending a tenner a month on something you don't need!

Total speculation ... perhaps a lender would like to have a landline number as a security benefit since it's tied to a physical location??

opinions4u

Back in the day when mobile phones were the size of a Ford Fiesta and only used by knobs, there was a statistic I saw that highlighted that those without a landline were something like 50 times more likely to default on a credit commitment.

It's a very different world now though.

Owain_Moneysaver

You can get a landline *number* free or very cheaply (eg Sipgate) and just collect the voicemails occasionally.

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat

It can help, yes

Two reasons - a sign of stablity as previous posters suggest, and also a good way to get hold of people if needed for Fraud checking and the like. A PAYG phone for example is not a great help for either part.

Stats show people are more likely to change their mobile number frequently than landlines, and it has some continuity.

Some do, some don't. It's not a 50x difference any more, but there is still an appreciable difference in account performance for those with and without landlines

KingElvis

I've always trusted people more who have a proper landline, tradesmen for example I will only employ if they have a proper phone number.

Some cards REQUIRE you have a landline...this is from Creation for example.

To apply for a card you should:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Have a UK bank or building society account (including Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
• Be a permanent resident of the UK (including Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
• Be able to provide at least one landline telephone number and a valid email address

noh

KingElvis wrote: »

I've always trusted people more who have a proper landline, tradesmen for example I will only employ if they have a proper phone number.

Some cards REQUIRE you have a landline...this is from Creation for example.

To apply for a card you should:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Have a UK bank or building society account (including Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
• Be a permanent resident of the UK (including Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
• Be able to provide at least one landline telephone number and a valid email address

They do not require you to have a landline. They require you to provide a landline number which could of course be a work number or a free VOIP number.
Because of VOIP, landline numbers are not necessarily tied to an address.

exel1966

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat wrote: »

there is still an appreciable difference in account performance for those with and without landlines

Can you provide evidence to support your claim ?

Hazzinho

I don't think it will make any difference. More important is that you are on the electoral roll at that address and your credit history is good.