Turned down for mobile phone contract

sarah84

I tried to get a mobile phone contract today so that the direct debit from it would improve my credit rating (T mobile flext) but was refused.
I am a bit surprised as I was discharged from bankruptcy over a year ago.
My partner is going to transfer our electric bill direct debit into my name so that this improves my credit rating. Its things like this that make me wonder if bankruptcy was the right thing!

user55

When I sought advice, it was made very clear to me that my credit rating would be terrible for the forseeable future - the bankruptcy stays on your credit file for 6 years. I gather there are things you can do to try to clean it up somewhat, involving making sure all your debts are now marked as satisfied - but I don't know how much that realsitically helps until the 6 years are up.

Personally I think that is a small price to pay for having over £35000 pounds of unsecured debt removed from my shoulders!

rog2

sarah84 wrote: »

I tried to get a mobile phone contract today so that the direct debit from it would improve my credit rating (T mobile flext) but was refused.
I am a bit surprised as I was discharged from bankruptcy over a year ago.
My partner is going to transfer our electric bill direct debit into my name so that this improves my credit rating. Its things like this that make me wonder if bankruptcy was the right thing!

Can your partner get a contract phone for you?
It's true, unfortunately, that your (and my) credit ratings are going to be shot for the next six years, although the actual decision as to whether to give you credit is made by the creditor, not the CRA. Some creditors view your credit reference in a different way - perhaps you could try other mobile providers? Some might give you the contract if you pay a deposit to cover the first x month's rental.
I don't think, unfortunately, that transferring the electric account to your name, will make much difference to your credit rating.

wherediditallgo

user55 wrote: »

When I sought advice, it was made very clear to me that my credit rating would be terrible for the forseeable future - the bankruptcy stays on your credit file for 6 years. I gather there are things you can do to try to clean it up somewhat, involving making sure all your debts are now marked as satisfied - but I don't know how much that realsitically helps until the 6 years are up.

Personally I think that is a small price to pay for having over £35000 pounds of unsecured debt removed from my shoulders!

Same here - the CCCS told me that there was little to no chance of any credit agreements for six years once I'm BR, but they still advised me to do it as my situation was so dire.

Don't let things like this get you down, Sarah. I'm more interested that my credit file shows the correct info, so I'm keeping a beady eye on that. I don't rate those companies that say they can clean up your file for you - they can't remove everything negative, & chances are that the one or two things they might be able to help with at a price are things you could have dealt with yourself for free. It's your credit file that matters, & the six years isn't going to change, so the most important thing is to make sure the info on your file is accurate & up-to-date. The CCCS advised me to monitor mine, so that everything was as good as it could be when the six years were up.

rog2

blind-as-a-bat wrote: »

Looks like its gonna be one of those weekends:rolleyes:

I hope not. :eek: :eek:

sarah84

Thankyou for the helpful advice, its very much appreciated :beer:
I've heard good things about noodle phones, but being as I only wanted a contract phone to improve my credit rating I will be sticking to my payg sim as its much cheaper!
I've tried to get a capital one card to improve my credit rating too and was declined for that aswell, so I shall have to find other ways:huh:
And thankyou for the person that informed me that having the electric bill come out of my account by direct debit wont help matters, you've saved me a lot of hassle

NekoZombie

I should point out that Conor also has been bankrupt, so no idea why he made that really harsh comment...

philnicandamy

connor...remind me...your comments help how?

and please don't shout its not needed

Broken_hearted

Conor is right in a way you can't get the debt written off then complain that you can't get more. PAYG phones are fine as they don't let you run up big bills .

philnicandamy

I agree BUT there are ways of putting your points across I just disagreed with that and some of the "harsh" comments, most of us don't "complain" about having debts written off then try and get any form of credit, the whole idea or so I thought was to post here for non judgemental HELPFUL advice..that don't seem to be here..we've had arguments about this many times before no point going over old ground AGAIN...

savagevixen

My Credit rating was shafted for years pre-bankruptcy, and I have to say that a contract phone, paid by direct debit did not make a jot of difference.

I imagine the reality is, this will not really help a whole lot.