Change bank?

wordsfan

I have been with bank of Scotland 11 years. I have a very basic current account which inc a visa electron debit card which fewer places are accepting (which makes it difficult to shop around).

I recently tried the credit check tool on here but it couldn't work probably as I've recently moved and new address not yet showing on electoral roll?

I have in the past been a person of poor credit (this was in part due to ill health and in part due to being sold inappropriate products by my then bank - lloyds)

I also have a CCJ for unpaid council tax at a previous address (which I never owed as the entire time I lived there I was either a student or unemployed).

This was all 10/11 years ago.

I have on a few occasions asked my bank (and they have even called/contacted me to try and get me to) to upgrade to a better current account but each time I've been ruled out on poor credit record grounds.

With the visa electron nonsense I would prefer a different card.

Anyone else experienced this and if so any advice?

Is there a tool on here to check which accounts would accept me? I've looked but not found one.

Any advice much appreciated

YorkshireBoy

Why not get copies of your credit reports and see what the banks see when they credit search you. Free access to all 3 via Noddle (Callcredit), Clearscore (Equifax), and the MSE Credit Club (Experian).

You can then address the ER issue (if indeed that is an issue...you seem to be questioning it, rather than stating you're not on it).

Only when you know what's on there (and you tell the people you're asking for help) will any useful help be forthcoming.

wordsfan

That's what I tried to do (mse credit tool) it came back couldn't check. I know I am on the ER at my new address as just had my polling card through.

YorkshireBoy

wordsfan wrote: »

That's what I tried to do (mse credit tool) it came back couldn't check.

When? (you only said "recently")

I know I am on the ER at my new address as just had my polling card through.

But are you showing on the credit reference agency files YET as being on the ER at your current address?

Is there a conflict between the ER address and the address being reported by your financial providers?

wordsfan

Yep just tried noddle - cannot verify identity

Dobbibill

Have you tried it on your previous address?

agrinnall

Why do you have a CCJ for a debt that was never owed? Can you ask the court for this to be set aside?

mwarby

The current bank of scotland basic bank account(https://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/bankaccounts/compare-current-accounts/basic-account/), offers a visa debit card(and has done for last few years). This card is much like the electron cards (all transactions require online authorization), but widely accepted. It might be worth asking if you could get you account changed to the current basic account, and get the visa debit card

Another option to consider basic account wise is Nationwide, they will offer you a basic account if you fail to be accepted for a full account. Their basic account includes a contactless visa debit card, which you can also use with apple/android pay

System

The Visa Electron accounts based accounts are off-sale.

They will change your account to their Basic or Classic account on request. Both come with Visa Debit.

wordsfan

Thanks for all the replies. The confusing thing is my previous address isn't being accepted either. I will ask at bank again about different card/account.

I didn't know you could do that with ccj's it was issued around 9/10 years ago I think. I don't know why I ended up with it as never got any of the letters relating to it. Just seen on my credit file when I was trying to sort some things a few years ago.

Really once I can access my credit files I want/need to sort it all out properly once and for all.

Don80

Hi. I have a friend who had an Easycash account, which sounds like what you have (visa electron etc). A couple of weeks ago he went into a Bank of Scotland branch to ask to be upgraded to the Basic Account - which has a visa debit card (not contactless though). He tried that last year and was told no, not sure why.

Anyway, he was asked to make an appointment, which would take 40 minutes. He said he didn't have time, and the adviser (who was VERY helpful) suggested he completed a form on his internet banking.

He did this, it was referred, and last week he was sent a contactless visa debit card. He then got a letter saying he was now on the Classic Account.

Short advice - try applying through your internet banking :-)