Just turned 18, need help!

gr8wizard

Arleen wrote: »

Then you have 6 months to go, find a job (can be part time) and save up for the phone you so badly want rather than getting in debt.

Why 6 months if it's payg? I have a part time job already and have the money to get the phone I want.

DCFC79

gr8wizard wrote: »

Thanks...

So I won't be able to get a phone contract?

Why the rush to get a phone contract ? They are an expensive way to get a phone and a contract.

Buy a phone outright and go SIM only, plenty of phones at various prices and same for the Sims.

I suggest you phone the bank and change the address to where you currently live.

gr8wizard

theburningcat wrote: »

If they couldn't match your address, there may never have been a credit search - it could be simply that they couldn't find you.

Check your address is up to date on your credit files and that you're on the electoral roll at your current address before doing anything else. FYI when I just turned 18 (6 years ago but anyway...), O2 didn't like me but Vodafone did.

How do I check my credit files? Experian said they couldn't verify who I was when I tried to do a free credit check. I was just speculating that it could be because my bank account address is different to where I live.

Also, I don't think I am on the electoral roll and the only way to check is by speaking with my local council?

DCFC79

gr8wizard wrote: »

How do I check my credit files? Experian said they couldn't verify who I was when I tried to do a free credit check. I was just speculating that it could be because my bank account address is different to where I live.

Also, I don't think I am on the electoral roll and the only way to check is by speaking with my local council?

Go to the websites for the 3 credit agencies and sign up for an account, use the address your bank account is registered at, whether you change the address with the bank first or change it after you have registered with the agencies is up to you.

You can check if your on the electoral roll with the council or get yourself on it.

gr8wizard

Arleen wrote: »

No, it isn't. But instead of assuming, you can do the actual math of how much premium will you pay for stuff.

Ok. The phone I want - Google Pixel.

The contract I wanted was £41 a month for 24 months plus £30 one off fee so that's £1014 over two years. I get unlimited calls and texts, plus 3GB of data a month.

PAYG - £599.99 for the pixel and I don't know how much data and minutes and texts will cost.

gr8wizard

DCFC79 wrote: »

Why the rush to get a phone contract ? They are an expensive way to get a phone and a contract.

Buy a phone outright and go SIM only, plenty of phones at various prices and same for the Sims.

I suggest you phone the bank and change the address to where you currently live.

I think they are a cheaper way to get the phone + all the minutes, texts and data?

The contract all together for two years comes up to about £1014.

The phone alone if I bought it outright is £599.99 but I don't know how much calls/texts + data will be.

Arleen

So if you don't know how much texts and calls will be, how can you know that it will be more?

R34GTT

gr8wizard wrote: »

How do I check my credit files? Experian said they couldn't verify who I was when I tried to do a free credit check. I was just speculating that it could be because my bank account address is different to where I live.

Also, I don't think I am on the electoral roll and the only way to check is by speaking with my local council?

That's a good point about there possibly not being a record of a credit search because as it stands there's no person to record it against.

Now you've registered to vote, it takes a month or two to update with the CRAs, as will the bank account address change. So have a look in a couple of months at your credit report(s) and hopefully the CRAs can identify you and they'll be no searches recorded yet. Then go ahead and try for the contract.

gr8wizard

DCFC79 wrote: »

Go to the websites for the 3 credit agencies and sign up for an account, use the address your bank account is registered at, whether you change the address with the bank first or change it after you have registered with the agencies is up to you.

You can check if your on the electoral roll with the council or get yourself on it.

Yes, it seems I should use the address my bank account is with although they want where you actually live.

DCFC79

gr8wizard wrote: »

I think they are a cheaper way to get the phone + all the minutes, texts and data?

The contract all together for two years comes up to about £1014.

The phone alone if I bought it outright is £599.99 but I don't know how much calls/texts + data will be.

Plenty of phones around for £300, a £15/£20 pay monthly SIM only deal would surely give you enough for what you need.

You don't need to spend £600 on a phone.