no switchin so now i'm !!!!!in !

skids12

thought i'd take martin's advice and switch BUT ! apparently because I nor my partner have no credit history ( neither good or bad ) we can not switch

grumbler

Like most journalists, Martin likes slogans that require over-simplifying things.

Nothing is free. The money that is apparently 'free' requires some efforts to get it. You had a lot of time, at least since joining MSE, to think about your credit history and to build some. And you need it not only for getting switching bonuses.

meer53

As you've found, you have to have an account to switch, how did you think you were going to switch without an account ? Credit files aren't checked for switching.

colsten

But they are checked for opening an account - something which is a pre-req for almost all switches that carry a bonus (which I assume is behind skids12's interest).

I must say it is hard to believe that someone with an existing current account should not have a credit record. Unless they had their account for 15+ years?

skids12, who told you that you do not have a credit history? Have you confirmed this with e.g. noddle.co.uk? And, more importantly, who told you that you cannot open a current account without a credit history?

skids12

it was my partners account we tried to switch first from first direct to m&s and then we were going to change mine ( i'm with nationwide ). We've both had our current accounts for 15yrs + . He only gets a disability benefit paid into his ( m&s only require £100 a month into their current account ) . Any ways , applied online and then they phone to say that he hasn't got enough credit history ???? . We don't buy things on tick , haven't got any loans.....

skids12

of course we've already got current accounts....we were trying to switch ( as advised by dear ol martin )

DCFC79

skids12 wrote: »

it was my partners account we tried to switch first from first direct to m&s and then we were going to change mine ( i'm with nationwide ). We've both had our current accounts for 15yrs + . He only gets a disability benefit paid into his ( m&s only require £100 a month into their current account ) . Any ways , applied online and then they phone to say that he hasn't got enough credit history ???? . We don't buy things on tick , haven't got any loans.....

He doesn't fit the criteria for M&S simple as.

colsten

Yep, he probably didn't fit the M&S criteria. Or they couldn't find him on the CRA files - see below. That can happen to anybody, at any bank.

skids12 wrote: »

m&s only require £100 a month into their current account )

they don't require any minimum ongoing payment, actually.

"hasn't got enough credit history" sounds a bit of a strange reason for getting turned dow. Did you actually check your / his credit history? It might be something simple such as missing electoral roll, or use of a different address. Even a slight difference in address can mean the bank can't find you.

You could probably still apply in person, if you take your passport/DL and a recent utility bill or bank statement into a Branch. If there is a Branch near you.

I don't know whether Martin Lewis mentioned you need to pass a credit check to open a current account - if he didn't, he should have done.

masonic

colsten wrote: »

I don't know whether Martin Lewis mentioned you need to pass a credit check to open a current account - if he didn't, he should have done.

It's "fact 5" of the best bank accounts guide: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts#fact5

grumbler

I think colstem meant Martin's recent TV appearance when he was promoting switching for bonuses, but, most likely, failed to mention possible problems with credit checks when (and as a result of) opening new account(s).

masonic

grumbler wrote: »

I think colstem meant Martin's recent TV appearance when he was promoting switching for bonuses, but, most likely, failed to mention possible problems with credit checks when (and as a result of) opening new account(s).

Perhaps. The OP is quite vague on exactly where and when they encountered this "advice". It would have been unusual of Martin not to have referred people to the website for full details.