would you lie on a credit card application?

twists_and_turns

2 months ago when I applied for credit I was very honest on my applications.

Next time I apply for credit, is it worth 'fibbing' about how long I have been employed with my 'current' employer. I recently changed jobs, and although it pays much better, it still means that I have only been employed with my current employer for a couple of months, which potentially doesn't help with regards to a credit application.

Do you think i should lie and say that I've been with them for longer than 3 years (seems to be the usual they want)? and is there any way they can check your employment history (other than phoning up your current employer)?

YorkshireBoy

The simple answer is no.

Deception to gain a pecuniary advantage is FRAUD...plain and simple!

Whenever you apply for credit your application details are shared with fraud prevention agencies.

If you lie on this application, you're going to have to lie on every other application you make for credit, and you will be found out eventually.

If you are found out, an "application fraud: material falsehood" CIFAS marker on your credit file will trash your credit rating.

Strapped

Agree 100% with YB. It's not "fibbing"; it's fraud.

holidayqueen

Dont do it.
All co's will have their own fraud data base and will compare your application to other applications made, they would then register you on that data base if you made a false application. THIS WOULD REFER OUT ALL FUTURE APPLICATIONS MADE BY YOU.
Also remember that many co's offering credit are sister co's and they will also compare applications made within their own group. You may not even be aware that these co's are related.
If you did obtain credit falsely and they found out at a later date, they would put a Cifas marker on your credit file and your address, you would then find it extremly difficult to obtain credit in the future.

terafarma

It is a criminal act that could land you in front of a Magistrate/High court judge if found out. A potential criminal act not worth doing.

Nothing pays better than truth. No, I would not lie on an application form.Obtaining credit via cedit card is not a do or die thing. If you get turned down for telling the truth, by all means look elsewhere.

twists_and_turns

A unanimous 'no' all round.

I've always had the philosopy that the truth will out, and that honesty is the best policy. With the recent financial turbulence and banks being arguabley less than fair with customers, ie closing accounts and upping interest rates, i was beginning to think that perhaps my 'honest' approach was somewhat naive.

Anyway, I will continue with truthful applications and if rejected by the mostly automated application system, see if it's possible to reason with the banks

Thankyou for all the responses

ad44downey

twists_and_turns wrote: »

2 months ago when I applied for credit I was very honest on my applications.

Next time I apply for credit, is it worth 'fibbing' about how long I have been employed with my 'current' employer. I recently changed jobs, and although it pays much better, it still means that I have only been employed with my current employer for a couple of months, which potentially doesn't help with regards to a credit application.

Do you think i should lie and say that I've been with them for longer than 3 years (seems to be the usual they want)? and is there any way they can check your employment history (other than phoning up your current employer)?

It won't really matter just as long as you keep up the repayments on the card.

bow1508

I can sympathise with you totally. I am sorting out my finances and am currently spending oodles on house and contents insurance. I've found cheaper, in fact a saving of over half but after reading Martin's stuff decided to not pay extra to the insurance companies for monthly direct debits. I applied for a card the idea to be to pay off over the monthly amount therefore not incurring charges. Guess what as a large part of my income comes from tax credits and child tax credits they wont accept this as part of my income! How dumb is that! so i thought about fibbing as I KNOW i can cover the repayments and then some BUT have decided against it frustrating as it is. I just wish these companies would actually LOOK at you as a person and not boxes to be ticked then I could explain all this to someone! :mad: therefore I am unable to get a card so HAVE to spend over £50 extra to the insurance rip offs :mad:

UK007BullDog

yes, sadly everything is now automated and the computer decides. Also people who could decide on overriding the computer are very unwilling these days to do so as it notches up negative against their "scorecard" with employer. Only if the customer is squeaky clean and "known" to the branch manager will they overide decisions.

When was the last time you met your branch manager????????

ravenk

MP's are the only people allowed to lie. However when they get found out they only get suspended for 10 days ;-)
You could always boost your earnings by saying your a research assistant for your Dad , who is an MP :-)

The computer says "NO" , is a true reflection on how it works these days.
Welcome to "1984" .... everything is recorded and cross referenced.
I was shocked last week , by just how much these credit reference agency know about you. Even the total owed on my last Vodafone bill. This is payed via direct debit, but still seen as a debt ????

jinkssick

Been doing so for 2 years now. I am a self employed worker that makes 17k a year. In reality I do odd jobs. I do this just to get CC freebies or utilise and abuse their 0% offers wether its spending or BT.

No harm in my eyes, but boy would I be in trouble if I owed them even a £100 or a really unreliable borrower as then I would have shot myself in the foot.