When you check your record ask to see what your credit score is as well - the higher the number, the higher the rating.
You need to contact Call Credit, Experian and Equifax which are the ones used by creditors. They will cost about £2 a time for a copy.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I have a membership with Experian aka Credit Expert, and pay about £6.95 a month to check as often as I like, but it is £5.95 every time I check my score, which ATM is 771. (On a scale of 1 to 1000).
When I correspond with creditors I do ask them to alter the record at all three agencies, although when talking to one of them on the phone, they said that their system linked through to all three anyway. So the particularly sensible agent at this firm said "Oh well, since the debt is due to drop off your file anyway in September, I won't bother just marking it satisfied I am pushing a button to take it off the records altogether, that means it will be gone with all three CRA's within 24 hours..." And it certainly was, I checked. Unfortunately, the original creditor had passed the debt to two collection agencies so I am battling to get the other one, the duplicate of the one I just mentioned, removed as well.
I think most creditors will be linked to the CRA's in a like manner, one other creditor said as much.
Your credit score will vary depending on where you apply. You may pass at one bank and fail at another. The criteria is highly secret and not even bank staff know it. Though if you do enough of them you can probably guess.
The scores given by the Credit Reference Agencies are just a indication only.
More important than score is what is recorded on your credit file. Best to insure the information is correct, accurate and up to date and working with the creditors Data Controller this can be done under the Data Protection Act
We're willing to wipe the slate clean, give you a fresh start. All that we're asking in return is your cooperation.
It's very weird. When I got turned down by Ford Credit for car finance and asked for an explanation, they said that yes, they conceded the point that I had completed my IVA and that the defaults were totally explainable, and that my credit score was really not all that bad. "But the problem is that you don't currently have any credit..." (Excuse me, I have not been allowed to...)"and that is an issue."
That's why I wondered about the credit card thingy you see, although Payplan said they would have thought that a well maintained mobile phone and BT contract would do, not to mention an unblemished record with my IVA payments. They are willing to give me a reference if need be. If I can pay them £500 per month, I can afford car repayments!
Fact is, as the car salesman said, they are turning down people with excellent scores even, finance companies are picky ATM. And that's why they ain't selling many cars.
Hmmm --- maybe the IP companies should start registering us with the CRA's so that our 5 years of payments show as green ticks (of course they would have to creatively "name" the "account" we are paying towards! )
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
You could always get a card such as Vanquis Ginnyfizz and use it once a month and then pay it off - that all helps towards building up your credit score.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
My friend has never had credit in her life but always paid all her bills & initially she had problems getting a mortgage because she had no credit history. It is a bit daft!!!
A few years ago they credit scored the Queen and Phil -- they failed! Neither were on the Electoral Roll and neither had "proper" jobs or any credit history!
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
* You must have not applied within the past 6 months
* You are 18 years of age or over.
* You are a permanently resident in the UK.
* You do have a landline phone number
* You are registered on the voters roll.
* You do not have an outstanding County Court Judgment against their name or one that has cleared within the past year.
What about that last one? Do I classify as having a CCJ that cleared within the past year?
Have you got a CCJ? An IVA isn't a CCJ so if you've not got one you can truthfully answer no to that question.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Sounds like you may be ok Ginny although we have had one or two posters who have been refused.
Sounds like you fit the criteria though.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
