Can someone be deliberately barred from receiving credit?

Bambi_Blou

Hi there, I realise this may not be the correct forum to bring up this question but I wasn't sure where else to turn, so...

I want to know if it is possible for someone to get themselves deliberately barred from receiving any form of credit. I know it seems a strange question, but I wondered if someone who had a credit card addiction could get such a thing done to prevent them from spending money they can't afford to pay back. A friend of mine has got themselves into all sorts of trouble this way and yet they're still regularly being sent pre-approved credit cards, store cards and loans. They resist the temptation of ready cash over and over until oneday when they're having a bit of a low patch all resolve disappears and the next thing they know they're deep(er) in debt. Of course the more debt they get into, the harder it becomes to resist temptation to go out and spend more because it is a form of escapism for them. Someone with a drinking problem wouldn't be sent letters offering them booze on a weekly basis, so how come it's allowed for people with gambling addictions and shopaholics etc.!? Surely something can be done to help them?

If anyone can advise in this, I'd be very grateful...
BB

jonesMUFCforever

Well the Mail and Telephone Preference service would be a start although probably would take about 3 months or so to kick in properly.
I'm suprised if your friend actually gets all the credit he/she is 'approved' for if her credit rating is as bad as you describe.
Eric

charlie12

Perhaps you could get the person to add a notice to their credit files, stating something like "Don't give me credit" (or something a little more creative!)

It's then possible that the credit application will be "referred" for manual checking, and then the message would be seen.

No idea if it'll work, just an idea

Bambi_Blou

Thanks Eric, I have to be honest though, my faith in the Mail and Telephone Preference service isn’t great, only I added myself to that a couple of years ago to cut down on all the junk mail I receive, but it carried right on cluttering up my doormat and filling my bin daily. Funnily enough though, I did recently reapply after getting sick of the massive amounts of junk I still receive (eternal optimist that I am), and this week, for the very first time, my postman has found his bag a lot lighter and void of most of the usual junk addressed to me so maybe it does actually work and my first application was simply a victim of Royal Mail and missing in action.

As for getting credit despite debts, she even was offered pre-approved credit cards during a period of unemployment! Maybe it was a mistake but it seems they’ll give credit to literally anyone in any circumstances these days, even when they blantantly can’t afford it. And ridiculously, because they can’t afford it, they get given a worse rate than those who can – surely misselling like this is a crime!??

Charlie12: good idea. I will try and contact the credit reference agencies and see if it’s possible to get some kind of note put on there to that effect. They may even have something in place for this kind of thing, who knows. I’ll certainly look into it, thanks! I’ll post back to this thread to say whether I’m successful or not so that anyone else interested can see the outcome.

In the meantime if anyone else knows anything more, please do post your ideas in – much appreciated! I’m sure my friend isn’t the only one out there who would benefit from such knowledge!

Thanks again you guys!
BB

jonesMUFCforever

As for getting credit despite debts, she even was offered pre-approved credit cards during a period of unemployment! Maybe it was a mistake but it seems they’ll give credit to literally anyone in any circumstances these days, even when they blantantly can’t afford it. And ridiculously, because they can’t afford it, they get given a worse rate than those who can – surely misselling like this is a crime!??

.

The point I was trying to make is that a pre-approved application is no better than you walking into any bank and filling in an application yourself. It is purely a marketing ploy. I'm told that if only 3% of applications are returned and approved then the credit card company will turn a profit.I can see now why we get so many in the post!
However if your friend has lied about their circumstances on the application form then the banks cannot be altogether to blame.
Eric

Xbigman

Even pre approved applications are subject to status. If you don't have a job nearly all will be rejected when you tell them.
Regards




X