My life is ruined!

BallerinaGirl

Hello Everyone

I am new to this board and would like to ask you all your opinions on my situation. I have a very bad credit rating through being silly when I was younger.

I can't get a "normal" bank account, I was refused a travellers cheque card the other day for not having a normal bank card despite having £2000 to change into currency, I have about £5000-£7000 debt which I am gradually paying off.

Being older now though and having an excellent job with wages going into the bank, my bank still refuses me an overdraft, or bank card, and every door to me is shut TIGHT regarding finance on things, which I could manage well now I am alot older and wiser!! I can't see things ever getting back to normal and being a normal person instead of whispering "do you take visa electron??"

Ideas anyone??

southernscouser

Firstly welcome to the site and the DFW board ballerinagirl.

Secondly if you want any help you have to prove you can do the splits being a ballerina and all that.

Nah seriously, you need to get hold of your credit reports to give you an idea why you are being rejected. My guess is either CCJ's or defaults. I've got £20k+ pf debt and have just been accepted for a A&L current account.

There are a couple of ways of getting your reports for free (normally £2 each).

The best one is probably to register with https://www.annualcreditreport.co.uk as it's free to get your reports once a year.

BallerinaGirl

Thanks for the reply!

Firstly Im afraid Im too old to do the splits now, but taught my daughter!:rotfl:

I have seen my credit report, it's awful, pages long and yeah, defaults and I think 1 CCJ along the way. I have tried to speak to my bank about my current situation and how things are now, but they just say they would need to do a credit check to upgrade my account, and of course at that point I tell them not to bother!!

Its sooooooooo frustrating, Like I have just read on another post, if we could turn back time.....:rolleyes:

sured

BallerinaGirl wrote:

Thanks for the reply!

Firstly Im afraid Im too old to do the splits now, but taught my daughter!:rotfl:

I have seen my credit report, it's awful, pages long and yeah, defaults and I think 1 CCJ along the way. I have tried to speak to my bank about my current situation and how things are now, but they just say they would need to do a credit check to upgrade my account, and of course at that point I tell them not to bother!!

Its sooooooooo frustrating, Like I have just read on another post, if we could turn back time.....:rolleyes:

hello and welcome,

not got much advice all the clever people will be along soon

oops sorry ss is already [STRIKE]misbehaving[/STRIKE] helping :rotfl:

piglet6

You don't say how old you are now, or how long ago you were "silly", but I don't understand why the bank should be so difficult if you now have a good and regular wage going through... There are various stages in improving your account - they probably won't give you a debit/cheque guarantee card with a £250 limit straight away, but they could start with maybe £50 (a small credit limit/overdraft and various other restrictions which can gradually be increased over time).

I would be tempted to ask for an appointment with your bank manager, and raise the concern directly face to face with him/her. Explain to them exactly what you have said here and ask what you can do to improve the situation - put the ball in their court and ask for their advice. Even if your official "credit rating" is not good, your personal credit rating with your bank can still be good. I know this from experience - many years ago, we got a CCJ due to bad advice (a disputed council bill which we were - wrongly - advised not to pay - in hindsight, we should have paid it and fought for a refund afterwards but we were young and naive and believed the advice given to us...). However, although this damaged our "official" credit rating, we have always had an excellent relationship with our bank (the "problem" was not with them), and they have always been very supportive and helpful. Don't be scared to approach them - if you can prove that you now have a record of money coming into your account and that you are responsibly paying off your debt at a regular rate, there is no reason that a bank manager shouldn't try and help you.

If all else fails, can you open a new account with a new bank and take your custom elsewhere?

Piglet

southernscouser

What are the dates for the defaults and CCJ?

Were you aware of these?

They should drop off your record automatically after 6 years from the date of issue. If not you can get them removed.

impy78

Hiya Ballerina Girl


I am in exactly the same boat as you, and I sometimes get really upet...but then I just think "Do I really need an overdraft/creditcard etc etc? Am I going to be in mortal danger if I don't?"

I know it's very annoying and not all that fair, but at least you can't go back into the red again this way. (At least that's what I keep telling myself!)

sammy115

I second that - I got upset yesterday when I was turned down for an overdraft of £200 but when I thought about it later I was grateful as I know I would have done my usual of going up to that overdraft and staying there.

I don't need more credit and am grateful (although I feel like a reprimanded child) for being turned down. I try to live off cash now

ancasta_2

Dont sweat it about the electron thing chicky... for years i had one with barlcays when i was debt free, so its not a taboo!! honest!!

Nearly everywhere accepts them now... i still have one with Barclays... not that i spend on it!!

GirlRacer_2

impy78 wrote:

Hiya Ballerina Girl


I am in exactly the same boat as you, and I sometimes get really upet...but then I just think "Do I really need an overdraft/creditcard etc etc? Am I going to be in mortal danger if I don't?"

I know it's very annoying and not all that fair, but at least you can't go back into the red again this way. (At least that's what I keep telling myself!)

Well said. If you have an OD and CC with your Current Account, it's just another opportunity to get yourself further into debt.

I've got an A&L Current Account with a cheque book and Visa Electron and I've got an Halifax CardCash Account where all my DD's go out of.

:T for realising your problems and I'm sure that the people on here will keep you motivated and focused. Good Luck

Toto

Have you tried opening a citibank account? I have one and my credit file looks like something out of a tarrantino movie. They don't issue an electron card it's a full visa and they seem to accept anyone, regardless of credit score. Be sure not to request an overdraft when applying and you will get one. the website is https://www.citibank.co.uk/