Rebuilding credit/life

wordsfan

I have recently moved into a new address.

It's a fresh start for myself and daughter. Perhaps I am unrealistic but I'd like to rebuild my credit and possibly get a car (nothing flash just a reliable runaround).

I have poor credit I think as I was very mentally unwell around 11 years ago and did some weird things. As a result I think I have a few thousand debt and a CCJ (for council tax which I never owed as I was a student/unemployed at that address).

I would really appreciate some (hopefully) non judgmental advice?

I am a 44 year old single mum with 16 year old daughter. Currently not working as again my health (physical and mental) is poor again so I'm on benefits.

A car would really help me be less isolated, my current bank account is fine but I'm limited where I can shop/what I can buy as not everyone accepts the debit card (visa electron) but bank (bank of Scotland) won't give me a better card/account even though I've been with them 10 years!

I just want to live a life as normal as possible, not extravagant, just a life.

Thanks in advance

cjv

If your credit problems were 11 years ago, they may not even show on your credit reports

A good place for you to start is to check your credit reports for free here:

https://www.noddle.co.uk
https://www.clearscore.com
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub?gclid=CNHXsI3B_tMCFUg8GwodQSUPLw

Pay no attention to the "credit scores" on these sites. Instead check over all the information they hold on you.

As you have just moved, get yourself on the electoral register asap, it is very important for future credit applications.

Then you may consider using a credit building card. These charge high interest so you must be very disciplined to spend a small amount on the card each month and pay the balance off in full every month before you get charged interest (direct debit is the safest way).

You can check your eligibility for credit cards, before applying in full. This will not run a full credit check, which can harm your chances of acceptance if you are rejected multiple times in a short space of time.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/eligibility/credit-cards/

After a while of showing you can manage credit responsibly your credit history should improve.

You could also apply for a basic bank account with another bank, many offer at least a visa debit card.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts

Good luck

sourcrates

Dont just give up on the bank account because your existing bank turns you down, there are plenty of other banks who offer basic bank accounts with visa debt cards.

Your "old" debt will be statute barred by now, and wont show on your credit files, if you are contacted by anyone for any of your old debts, post back for advice.

wordsfan

Thanks for replies. I don't know how debts are aged. From when they start or when I stopped adding to them?

I tried the credit club thing but it couldn't confirm my credit record I think because I JUST moved and the change to the electoral roll still holding my old address.

Anyone know how long that takes to be updated?

I'm so torn on the bank account as bank has mostly been good to me plus longevity with an account is good yea?

But I would like a card I can use at more places, debating a cc (paid off every month IN FULL of course ;-) )

Again any pointers greatly appreciated

sourcrates

wordsfan wrote: »

I'm so torn on the bank account as bank has mostly been good to me plus longevity with an account is good yea?

But I would like a card I can use at more places

Loyalty to any particular bank, in my opinion, ends, when they refuse to give you what you are reasonably asking for, there is no reason why you cannot have a visa debt card, when most basic accounts now have them, its just a "computer says no" response, and shows they have no loyalty towards you.

You can open a Lloyd's basic account, online, with a visa debt card, in ten mins flat, why bother waiting any longer ?

Vikipollard

wordsfan wrote: »

I have recently moved into a new address.

It's a fresh start for myself and daughter. Perhaps I am unrealistic but I'd like to rebuild my credit and possibly get a car (nothing flash just a reliable runaround).

I have poor credit I think as I was very mentally unwell around 11 years ago and did some weird things. As a result I think I have a few thousand debt and a CCJ (for council tax which I never owed as I was a student/unemployed at that address).

I would really appreciate some (hopefully) non judgmental advice?

I am a 44 year old single mum with 16 year old daughter. Currently not working as again my health (physical and mental) is poor again so I'm on benefits.

A car would really help me be less isolated, my current bank account is fine but I'm limited where I can shop/what I can buy as not everyone accepts the debit card (visa electron) but bank (bank of Scotland) won't give me a better card/account even though I've been with them 10 years!

I just want to live a life as normal as possible, not extravagant, just a life.

Thanks in advance

I'd just urge you to be extremely careful accessing credit whilst you are in a compromised mental state. Highlighted above, you said you got in a mess 11 years ago whilst mentally unwell, and you are now not so well again. The risk that things may go awry is high - particularly as you have no income.

Not being judgemental - just worried for you.

amfan

Definitely try another bank for a better account. I'd been with Natwest for over 10 years and they wouldn't give me anything other than a basic bank account. I'd begun to think I was completely uncreditworthy because my own bank wouldn't give me any despite seeing my income clearly going in every month. When I checked my credit files I found they were actually fine, I'd been "good" for long enough that all the debt's I'd got into when I was younger had long since dropped off. I applied for a mobile phone contract with no issues and a bank account with Lloyds who gave me a visa card. Funnily enough, as soon as I instigated leaving Natwest and told them it was because they wouldn't give me a decent account despite my history with them that's when they offered me everything they could just to keep me! But too little too late in my book.

wordsfan

Vikipollard I absolutely get what you are saying and I thank you for your concern which I will bear in mind. I am far more cautious now than I was then, I'm also less ill as this time round am near family who noticed and I contacted the Cmht and told them I was starting to decline.

I'm not planning on doing anything rash, just that my current card (which I think is being phased out) is becoming accepted by fewer retailers so it's restricting where I can shop especially online and as all mse'ers know shopping around gets you the best prices.

Amfan I am actually considering applying to my mothers bank (Royal bank of Scotland) see if they will accept me, plus saying to current bank I'm unhappy and considering leaving because of this, what will you do to encourage me to stay?

wordsfan

Have received postal voting notice in post. Will my new address on electoral roll be visible now?

[Deleted User]

Not necessarily. You need to check.

Candyapple

wordsfan wrote: »

Have received postal voting notice in post. Will my new address on electoral roll be visible now?

It will actually depend on the time of year you registered. From December to August local authorities publish a monthly register, known as a rolling register. The CRAs get the rolling registers each month and update the information on reports as quickly as possible, however it can still take a further 2-3 months to show on the update.

From mid-August to December local authorities will start preparing the annual register, which is for every voter in the country. During this time they will stop publishing monthly registers.

So if you register between August and November, your electoral information should show on your credit report by January the following year.

You definitely need to get copies of all 3 of your credit reports to check to see whether the info has been updated yet.

As for your card situation, I would say try Halifax. Don't apply for their basic bank account, just apply for their normal current account - if you fail to get this they will automatically offer you their basic bank account. I have had 2 friends this month and last month apply for a Halifax current account and were accepted. One had 1 CCJ, the other had 2 defaults from 2015 and numerous late payment markers dotted over the years.

Don't forget that you can also get £75 incentive if you switch to them (you don't have to).

http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/landing/reward-current-account/