Always Declined Credit - Help!?

UppaTown

Emmia said:

Has she looked at her credit file in detail - is everything on there correct - electoral roll, addresses, accounts, financial links etc.

Hi,
Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by financial links? Otherwise all others have been checked and are up to date.
Thank you!

UppaTown

p00hsticks said:

Does she have a passport and driving licence ?

With a thin credit file I'm finding it increasingly difficult to pass security checks without them as regulations are tightened up ....

Hi,
Yes she has both. Interesting to know you are finding it more difficult now.
Thank you!

Emmia

UppaTown said:

Emmia said:

Has she looked at her credit file in detail - is everything on there correct - electoral roll, addresses, accounts, financial links etc.

Hi,
Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by financial links? Otherwise all others have been checked and are up to date.
Thank you!

Typically these would be people with whom she has (or had) a joint account (or similar joint financial obligation) with. There's a section for it on the credit file which will show details.

UppaTown

MalMonroe said:

I have 3 questions:

1.  Am I the only one on this forum who thinks that it is extremely inappropriate and disloyal for you to be discussing your partner's personal and private finances on a public forum?

2.  Is your partner aware that you are discussing her finances on a public forum?

3.  If she is aware, does she mind?

You ask for help and say you don't know where to start but it isn't your problem. Have you even had a discussion with your partner about her finances? That's the place to start. It's not for us to be discussing your partner's financial status on here.

It's a very sad partnership where you can't sit down and discuss things that are worrying you with each other. Because that's what you should be doing, discussing things with her, privately, not with strangers in public.

I'm afraid that if I were your partner, you would now be my ex-partner.

Appreciate your concern but you're way off. 
I'll skip Q1 and 2 and just answer Q3) No

[Deleted User]

UppaTown said:

D3xt3r5L4b said:

First off ignore the scores.

What credit accounts does she actually currently have?

Are there any defaults/late payments/AP’s etc?

Is she registered in the ER?

Currently a CC with £400 limit (not been touched) and an account on Very (balance - nil).

Does she not use credit at all?  That may be part of the problem.

Using her existing card regularly would be the first step to building a decent history.

Emmia

Emmia said:

UppaTown said:

Emmia said:

Has she looked at her credit file in detail - is everything on there correct - electoral roll, addresses, accounts, financial links etc.

Hi,
Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by financial links? Otherwise all others have been checked and are up to date.
Thank you!

Typically these would be people with whom she has (or had) a joint account (or similar joint financial obligation) with. There's a section for it on the credit file which will show details.

I really think she needs to access and check her credit files, ideally with all three providers - I use Experian, Credit Karma and ClearScore to check my file once a month or so (it's free).

UppaTown

Emmia said:

I really think she needs to access and check her credit files, ideally with all three providers - I use Experian, Credit Karma and ClearScore to check my file once a month or so (it's free).

Brilliant - Thanks for your help.

Emmia

UppaTown said:

Emmia said:

I really think she needs to access and check her credit files, ideally with all three providers - I use Experian, Credit Karma and ClearScore to check my file once a month or so (it's free).

Brilliant - Thanks for your help.

To note though, the headline "scores" are pretty meaningless - it is the details of the financial records that sit behind it that she should be looking at, to make sure they are correct.

MinuteNoodles

MalMonroe said:

But they aren't the OP's files. They are not the OP's credit reports. They are his partner's confidential files and reports, how can he 'look at the files before any more can be done' and 'look at the Experian report and the other 2, post back with the results' when they are supposed to be confidential documents for his partner's eyes only?!

Maybe his partner asked him for some help and advice, stop to think that was a possibility before going off on your mouth frothing rant?

Unless the person's name is included in the information we have no way of identifying them do we? For all we know the OP may not even be a him, it could be a her, or they or whatever gender tag they choose to apply.

cymruchris

You mention that there’s a credit card with a limit of £400 that’s never used. Start using it. Buy the things that you buy every day - groceries - petrol - and then keep the money in your current account ready to pay it off. At the end of the month the card provider will issue a statement - set up a direct debit to pay it in full. Do this for a few months - and you’ll likely find that the credit limit rises. 

This is a good thing - as other lenders that look at the credit history will see that a lender is prepared to trust them more. With a single card with such a low limit it looks to others like they are not yet trusted. Once the limit goes up - try the eligibility checkers for other sub prime cards such as aqua Vanquis and capital one. You should then find it more likely that they are ‘accepted’ - they may again get a low limit - so then stop using the first card and start using the second card - same pattern - until that limit is increased. 

By doing this kind of thing you’re beginning to show good financial management and lenders will be more likely to say yes. Remember always pay the balance in full - preferably by direct debit - and never withdraw cash from a credit card unless it’s a life and death emergency.