Virgin mobile multiple errors led to too many credit checks

dodgy_damo

At the weekend my smart phone broke ...cue a visit to a virgin media shop on Monday(1st shop didnt have the phone i wanted, second one was called and reserved said phone)

I went into shop, phone was brought out (with a tablet, old deal but still have stock so will throw it in). The sales guy went through all the checks, info with me and performed a credit search, he then went through to a second check (EL1) and was unable to log on. He rang the powers that be and they said there will be problems until Weds. he tried again...my address on the system was different (think this was a hangover from signing up for the TV a/c in 2009). He said it should go through on that address and got stuck on the second stage again.
As I was there I said if i speak to customer services can it be sorted, he wasnt sure and rang up for me and I ended up talking to a call centre in the Phillipines, who sorted out things and said i passed the credit search (it took close to an hour)- the same assistant was unable to access the information that had been put on the screen. He attempted to do that second check again and no joy. I was passed to another assistant who after inputting info after 2 hours in store declared too many searches had been done and i couldnt apply for a contract for 30 days?

I rang and complained and have posted a complaints letter explaining what's happened and for them to amend an errors they have made on my credit file. They led me to believe I cant apply with them for 30 days but am free to apply elsewhere. Im worried going with a rival firm I will get rejected again.

I've checked my report today after signing up to "mycreditfile.com" and have a score of 854 (880 public score). I can see they did a search, but no further info! The only black mark I saw was a late gas bill in 2013, which i disputed at the time.

Thoughts?

[Deleted User]

On what? Not sure what your question is.

dodgy_damo

I think I've suffered from verbal diarrhea there...
Im unsure if Im able to make another application for a mobile phone contract at present?
The credit report website I've used doesnt seem clear if that search was rated good or bad?

[Deleted User]

Searches aren't good or bad - they're just searches. The resulting acceptance or decline isn't recorded.

If Virgin can't offer you anything for a month, then try elsewhere. But may be wise to check your credit files first to ensure that everything is appearing as it should (addresses, electoral roll, financial associates).

dodgy_damo

Thanks for your reply.
I was under the impression that if you are refused credit, this is shared with other agencies and you are considered more of a risk and your score is lowered.
Im a bit cheesed off that as a current customer (TV and credit card) that staff error has prevented me from obtaining a decent mobile deal.
It did prompt me to check my files and all seems pretty in order (It is interesting to see when you use the moneysavingexpert and confused.com type insurance searches that these appear several times on your file).

Candyapple

There is no such thing as a credit score - it's a marketing gimmick.

Insurance quotes are what is known as 'soft' searches - only you can see them. A 'hard' search carried out by a lender means other lenders can see them too. Your credit history will temporarily suffer if you make a lot of applications.

Why are you wasting your money on mycreditfile? Sign up to Noddle and Clearscore for free. Ignore any scores and concentrate on your credit history.

dodgy_damo

Canyapple, I've signed up for a 30 day free trial (link off MSE)

The only recent things on my Credit history are CC application I made last Sept.

I'll try those other sites for another opinion;)

edit: Signed up for Noddle- it doesnt even show the recent search by virgin

dodgy_damo

Just in case anyone was interested- after phoning I was offered 3 months credit to my TV account and they reduced the monthly cost from £44 to £29.50.
I also wrote a complaint in to VM and they explained that anything that adversely affected my file would be removed and a note left on my file. Recent checks show a "soft" search, so thankfully this wasnt a problem. They offered to help me sort out another contract for a Mobile phone, but I declined.
After also pointing out my address was still wrong (my neighbour handed me a letter he had opened) and new offers being sent to me, they offered to sort this out and gave me another months credit on my TV account.
Small Victories i guess? Thanks to all who replied