PLEASE HELP - getting nowhere with Experian and Electoral Roll

djturner15

Hi everyone.


Long story short, I need a credit card, and quickly. Am due my first baby in April and we need it for a few purchases as any savings we have from now until due date will go to make up maternity pay.


From January this year, I have been working on improving my credit score and am delighted that I am now at the top end of excellent on Experian, with a score of 999 out of 999.


Yet I am not being rated for any 0% purchase cards whatsoever. The problem I believe is that my address is on the electoral roll as APT15 - I live in apartment No 15. When I search on MSM's eligibility checker, it only allows me to put in the number and postcode and then select the address, it won't accept the APT part of the address. Therefore, it isn't giving me any eligibility results for that address, telling me my details cannot be matched at the credit bureau.


Out of curiosity, I put in all the same details but using my old address (where my parents still live) and I was 100% pre-approved for the Virgin 30 month 0% card. It is clearly an issue with my address.


I am at my wit's end - no-one seems to be able to fix this and I need this card soon. Have worked so hard to get my score to where it is, and it's of no benefit to me at all.


Is it worth contacting Virgin directly and explaining the difference in the address and hoping that they can still offer the card to me?


How can I get this fixed and quickly?


Please help :-(


Debi

JimmyTheWig

The eligibility checker not being able to tie up your addresses doesn't mean that the credit card company won't be able to.
I'd say apply and see how you go. Hopefully they'll say yes. if they say no then hopefully you can explain the address problem over the phone and may turn the no into a yes.

[Deleted User]

Remember that your score means nothing in terms of being offered credit.

Have you spoken with Experian re the address issue?

djturner15

Thanks Jimmy, that's why I'm wondering if I should just contact Virgin directly. I'd be reluctant to do an online application if it is rejected and then leaves a mark on a pretty good credit file.


Thanks ZX81 - yes I appreciate that a score is not always totally indicative of the chances of getting credit but my point is, on my old address I'm getting pre-approved for excellent cards so it's not an issue with my score. I have been trying to sort it out with Experian since January this year :-( I am beyond being at my wit's end :-( Will be phoning them tonight to try and get something sorted.

hsnyldz

i really cant see why its such big problem to resolve with experian? They should be pretty quick to update if you speak to someone on the phone? What do they tell you?

Voyager2002

Firstly, many baby things are available through the sales organised by the NCT (National Childbirth Trust) or in some charity shops -- and I got a lovely cot from an advertisement in a local paper! A credit card is not needed to give your baby the best start, while the debt will of course have to be repaid at some point in the future.

Secondly, one credit card application would not do any noticeable damage to your credit record. You know that you are likely to be accepted by Virgin, so try applying -- if there is a problem then that is the point at which you need to get frustrated.

m4rc

hsnyldz wrote: »

i really cant see why its such big problem to resolve with experian? They should be pretty quick to update if you speak to someone on the phone? What do they tell you?

You'd think - right? But I'm guessing you haven't had to do this? It took me 9 months, dozens of emails and several hours of phone calls before they worked it out.

My situation was similar, address looked identical to how it showed on electoral roll, but electoral roll field names were different to the fields that Experian were using for the same details. I live in a house without a number but a name, electoral roll had the name in the 'flat name/number' box apparently.

The other two CRAs managed to sort it with one email. Just saying...

SnowTiger

djturner15 wrote: »

Out of curiosity, I put in all the same details but using my old address (where my parents still live) and I was 100% pre-approved for the Virgin 30 month 0% card. It is clearly an issue with my address.

If you were particularly interested in the Virgin card you could try their own checker at https://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/credit-cards/purchase-cards/. It doesn't leave a hard footprint on your credit file.

Or try another credit card comparison website that does a soft search.

markwilkinson

I don't even know what my credit score is. I would imagine quite low, as I have two credit cards that I don't use and my mobile phone is attached to my wife's account. No loans and mortgage paid.

A few weeks back I applied for an account with Nationwide that pays 5% on savings up to £2.5k and towards the end of the online application process was offered £3.5k balance on a credit card. It might be another option? Apply for a current account and see if anything if offered?