positive advise only please

ukmartian

5 years ago I was made redundant and unemployed for 3 years on top of that my marriage split meaning any finance I had with the ex has now fell on me to pay as all finances were in my name ..When unemployed I obviously got behind with payments and came to arrangements with creditors ..I am now in a DMP and not missed a payment on that or anything for 2 years ie phone, utilities, mortgage etc ..I am not or never one to take out loans or credit willy nilly with no intention of repaying , but have been a victim of circumstances ..This week i applied for a phone contract and was turned down flat ...now my question is , what can I do , can i improve my credit score or am I stuck with it ...it seems so unfair that before i got maid redundant i could get credit and never been in trouble in 40 years now i cannot even get a cup of tea on credit...

[Deleted User]

I didn't think you were allowed to get credit if you're in a DMP? What does your DMP say about it?

Regardless, when the time is right, the best way to build credit history is to get a credit card and use it responsibly, paying off in full each month.

Also make sure you're on the electoral roll and check your credit files to ensure that everything is accurate.

tomtontom

You have to see it from a creditors point of view, you have a record of failing to meet contractual payments, you're not going to be an attractive customer right now. In time you'll rebuild a more reliable credit record and then you'll have more options open to you.

What are you doing for a mobile at the moment, is it an option to stay as you are?

spadoosh

Get a payg phone. Think you can get them for about £10. In terms of call costs etc theyre normally pretty similar.

If you only 'need' credit for a contract phone your situation probably isnt as bad as you think it is. Ok so its unfair you cant go out and spend someone elses money but from my point of view id see it as a good thing, its much better financially (the vast majority of the time) to not take credit.

20aday

OP I'd imagine your DMP mentions not obtaining any form of credit elsewhere because any existing financial providers may go back on the terms agreed with you when you entered into it.

That was certainly the case when I was in one just under a decade ago; but that was through a third party company whom I paid a monthly fee to.

Have you checked all three of your credit reports (Experian, Noddle and Clearscore) to see if everything is as it should be?

I agree with the advice posted above and opt for a PAYG mobile for now. In time when things are better (and they do get better!) you may be able to upgrade to PAYM.

solentsusie

Have you tried giffgaff. They do not require a credit check for their mobile phone contracts.


Although if you are looking for the type of contract where you pay for the phone handset as part of the deal I think you will have difficulty.


Perhaps purchase a handset outright if you need a new one and then get a deal on a sim only contract.

[Deleted User]

Complete the Debt Management Programme successfully and you will eventually be offered credit facilities again.

No point applying for anything in the meantime. Failure to heed this advice might even jeopardise your DMP.

As others have suggested, if you must have a mobile phone get a cheap PayAsYouGo.