Debt free - credit rating?

Beenie

Help!

I have a new mobile phone and want to use it abroad. When I called up the provider, they said that as there was no history for me, I would have to pay a£200 deposit. I am not at all happy about this.

The problem seems boils down to the fact that as I have paid off my mortgage, have no loans, no outstanding debts of any sort, there is no 'history' on me.

Has this happened to other people, and is there a way to remedy the situation?

happy_bunny_2

Looks like you need to build up some history again.

Your phone should report to the CRAs.

Some utility companies report also, as do BT.

Also, try and get a credit card for those with no/bad credit and use it but pay it off every month.

You have a current account, they report also.

Best check noddle, experian and equifax yourself to see what's on there.

You on electoral role also?

Beenie

Yes, I'm on the electoral roll. Plus I have a (healthy) current bank account.

I have a credit card which is paid off each month.

I have a clear history of paying my utility bills/rates/telephone landline each month.

I just don't understand why I'm a supposed credit risk.

happy_bunny_2

In that case, you should check to see what's on your credit report.

Beenie

is it free?

happy_bunny_2

Noddle checks call credit for free. Good starting point.

Equifax and experian can be checked for £2 each. Look for statutory report.

rira

Hah except Equifax wanted to charge me an extra £1.50 to have it posted. I said no.

exoteric

Beenie wrote: »

Help!

I have a new mobile phone and want to use it abroad. When I called up the provider, they said that as there was no history for me, I would have to pay a£200 deposit. I am not at all happy about this.

The problem seems boils down to the fact that as I have paid off my mortgage, have no loans, no outstanding debts of any sort, there is no 'history' on me.

Has this happened to other people, and is there a way to remedy the situation?

This happened to me exactly as described when I switched mobile providers and went abroad around two months later - they said that because I was a new customer they had no idea about my creditworthiness and whether or not I would be able to pay any huge bills I racked up overseas, and so they wanted a £200 deposit just in case. Apparently they only do this to new customers and not those who have been with them over 12 months (and have therefore proved they can pay their bills).

When it transpired that this £150 deposit "could take up to 12 months to be refunded" even if I didn't incur any usage abroad, I absolutely kicked off and demanded to speak to the supervisor and the supervisor's supervisor and threatened to leave and report them to OFCOM, etc, etc - the upshot is that they agreed to waive the deposit in my case.

So I'd suggest doing that, as it's obviously a ridiculous thing. Good luck!