Reasonable credit score, turned down for phone contract

hilmo36

Hi everyone,

I'm new here so my apologies if this is not the place for this...

I've just been looking to upgrade my phone, and found a 24 months plan for £26 per month, so not a very expensive contract. However I was turned down for it because i failed the credit check. I decided to check to check my credit score, and according to experian, I sit right at the top of fair, with a score of 875 / 999, which i would have thought would be plenty for a phone contract?

The only thing I can think of that may be having an effect are my address history: I was a student from 2015-2018, and was sloppy with updating the address registered with my bank account. I first tried applying with the addresses where I was previously registered to vote, and later with the addresses at which I had listed on my bank statements. However, neither times I was successful with my applications. The other thing that comes to mind is that I was a few days late on a water bill 10 months ago (purely by accident), I now pay direct debit.

I had planned to have a phone on a contract in an attempt to improve my credit score, and from feb 2017 - feb 2019 I had a phone on a £15 per month contract, so had assumed that this wouldn't be a problem. I haven't got a credit card, or much credit history to speak of other than the previous phone contract from a couple of years ago.

If anyone has any thoughts I'd love to hear them, Thanks!

Willing2Learn

Hi,

Why don't you try a get a SIM-only contract?
Do you pay for your utilities by Direct Debit?

Why do you want to improve your 'credit score'?  What are you trying to achieve?

DCFC79

Whats exactly on tour credit file with the relevant agencies ?
Thats the most important factor here.
Either go sim only and use your current phone or buy a phone outright or go for another network, the main networks have other operators who use the infrastructure.

hilmo36

Why don't you try a get a SIM-only contract?

I really want a new handset and can't afford to pay for one outright

Do you pay for your utilities by Direct Debit?

Yes, I do now.

Why do you want to improve your 'credit score'?  What are you trying to achieve?

I am hoping to get a mortgage within the new year or so.

hilmo36

Whats exactly on tour credit file with the relevant agencies ?

I am not sure, I will have to check.

DCFC79

hilmo36 said:

Whats exactly on tour credit file with the relevant agencies ?

I am not sure, I will have to check.

Your score isn't seen by lenders, your history is whats important.
So you cant afford a £150 phone ? Plenty are out there.
It means you can save more for the mortgage.

[Deleted User]

hilmo36 said:

I decided to check to check my credit score, and according to experian, I sit right at the top of fair, with a score of 875 / 999, which i would have thought would be plenty for a phone contract?

You need 876 for a mobile.  880 for iPhones.