How did I end up on a "Can't-Get-Credit-List"?

norsefox

In November I was rejected for a Post Office credit card.

Then in April I was rejected a Debenhams store card.

Since April I've been receiving weekly (if not more often) letters through the post from Marble, Barclays and an assortment of other companies offering me credit cards (with brilliant offers like only 49.9% APR).

I presume I somehow made it onto this list from the Debenhams experience - despite having an exemplary credit record (for a 24-year old) including a £1200 student overdraft paid off within 6 months of graduating, 5 years of mobile phone contracts without missing a payment and 5 years of a student credit card only ever paying it off in full when I've used it. I'm on the electoral register, and other than my student overdraft have never owed a £ in my life

It baffles me why a) I was refused credit in the first place (I've since got a CC from Nationwide @ 12.9% with a limit of £2500) b) ended up on some sort of risky individual who needs credit list.

Any thoughts? It would also be nice to get myself removed from this pointless junk mail...

matttye

Based on your other post you're awaiting your Experian credit report, so there could be adverse information on it. Have you checked your equifax and noddle reports?

Maestro.

It might just be that they didn't want you as a customer? If you believe what Martin and lots of people on here say, some people like yourselves who always pay in full aren't seen as profitable, so some companies will decline you. Sometimes if you fill out data on the application form that doesn't agree with the company's number crunching computer, they will flat out decline you instantly without even a credit search. I have a feeling this has happened to me once as I clicked apply and I kid you not the page instantly refreshed with a decline, no way did it have time to search a CRA.

Apply elsewhere?

norsefox

matttye wrote: »

Based on your other post you're awaiting your Experian credit report, so there could be adverse information on it. Have you checked your equifax and noddle reports?

I paid for CheckMyFile after the Debenhams rejection and I had absolutely nothing on my file that was negative (other than being aged under 25).

I'm genuinely baffled why I was rejected for these CCs - considering my younger brother was given the same card at the same time and has a near-identical history to me.

Could it be that in April I changed all my debit cards at BoS to my current address? I'd had them registered at my parent's home whilst at university.

Thrugelmir

norsefox wrote: »

Could it be that in April I changed all my debit cards at BoS to my current address? I'd had them registered at my parent's home whilst at university.

Where were you living according to the electoral roll?

Caladan

The idea of a "black-list" is a myth. No such thing exists (unless you consider having CCJs/Unsatisfied defaults as being black-listed).

Sounds like you're just not meeting their criteria - Income/Job type/are you on the voters roll?

A recent change of address could have some impact too.

NPHammer

Norsefox - based on the info you have given my thoughts:

1. As others have mentioned, are you on the electoral roll at the address you applied for the credit at? The fact you have recently moved wont have done your score with lenders any favours.

2. What is your income and job you declared on the application? If your income is low or you haven't been in your job long this will be a factor.

3. Do you still have credit available to you via your student overdraft and credit card? Even if you are not using these, if the credit is showing on your file as available it can count against you.

Finally the fact that nationwide have given you a decent interest rate and credit limit suggests that you have nothing too significantly amiss with your file. However it is my experience that nationwide are one of the most generous of the mainstream lenders in terms of acceptance. What you may need for other lenders to approve you is stability of job, income and address (and on the electoral roll at it) for a lengthy period.