My life is ruined!

dexters_mum_2

Toto wrote:

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/

Citibank appear to be declining a lot of applications at the moment, becoming a lot stricter on their criteria!

I think that you should approach your bank manager and explian the situation, take along payslips and income and expenditure, show you are up to speed and let them know you will go elsewhere if you cannot get an account to suit your needs, OK so that may not realistically be an option but they may be willing to override normal protocol.

I'd steer away from an overdraft, it just gives you an opportunity to accrue debt, maybe go along the lines of asking for a maestro/visa debit card without a cheque guarentee and say you would do it on a 3 month trial, after which they would be free to withdraw it if you breeched any of the terms of use.

Worth a try...

Brassicks

Everytime a credit check is done on you,and it comes back negative,does that not go against you.If you want a basic bank account go to Woolwich.They will supply you just the cash card,you can withdraw 300 pd from cash machines and then an extra 400 behind the counter.

TheAble

I suggest you apply for a Vanquis credit card, which specializes in those with impaired credit ratings. The APR is very high (39.9%), but if you spend a little on it each month and pay it off in full, you pay no interest. It will help you rebuild your credit record.

Good luck.

Zebedee69

Hi pet,

Glad you put a post her cos we can now start to organise how your gonna get yourself out of a pickle!:beer:

First things first, you got your credit report. There are a couple of things you need to know.

CCJ + Defaults last 6 Years from the date they are cleared, if they're still there then get then removed. So if you have any pay those debts first and then move onto the higher APR debts and slowly move down until your clear.

I would arrange a meeting with your bank manager - strike up a relationship now and you will soon have available credit through your bank - be careful though not to return to your old ways....:rolleyes:

Eventually after your CCJ's are gone you can start with a Vanquis card/Store card and pay the balance off each month giving yourself a good rating.

---

This will take time - have patience and do small things each month to get yourself sorted.

blisteringblue

Honestly there is no shame in having a basic bank account. I was where you are back in the late 90's and I could only get an Abbey Cashplus account as it was called then. Cashcard and Direct Debits only but then they also introduced electron to it.

I had paid all my debts by then but with so many defaults since 93 my credit file was shot to pieces.

However after a year good account management with the cashplus account the Abbey upgraded me to a Bank Account with a cheque card, and then after I think another years good management I got my delta card back.

So believe me it's not forever, and with no chance of slipping into overdraught it really teaches you how to manage your money.

8 years on for me now and I have a good credit file again which I'm really pleased about and it started with my basic bank account.

It just takes time.

BallerinaGirl

Hi again

Thank you sooooooooo much for all your positive posts!!!! Honestly its amazing what a few positive words have done for me!!!

I have realised that a Visa Electron is not so bad after all, and I shall perservere (eeek spelling!) with it!!

My debts are slowly decreasing!!!

luckylady45

dont get an overdraft even £50 because you WILL use it and then the more you use it, it gets paid everytime you get paid remember, the more they will increase it...believe me

LLoyds did this to me, it seemed everytime I had a review they increased my OD.
Eventually it got to the level of my salary each month :eek:
I took hold
I was paying £10 a month for an account with *benefits* but only used the free travel once a year and the mobile ins all the rest I never used and I was paying £120 a year for the privilege of doing just that. Not anymore
Changed to a basic account with a solo card and I pay cash or solo for everything...its accepted everywhere I shop anyway.

I have debt BUT am sorting it and will NEVER ever have credit of any sort ever again.

Things will get better for you
What about a pre-paid master card, you load that with money each month and use it like a CC if you really want one BUT I gather they charge for these