Failed credit check

[N1kk1-M]

I have failed a credit check. Never had that happen before. I have credit cards that I use and pay off the balance every month. I'  on the electoral register. I lived at my house for over 10 years..... I'm flummoxed!  Could it be due to my maiden name is still on my mobile phone account with ee. And if I sort it out (I have to take my marriage certificate into a branch) can I re-apply? Or would it just fail again. I have read the credit check policy but I'd rather not fork out to find out what went wrong. It looks like I will have to stay with EE afterall, which I would rather not. 

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @N1kk1-M

I understand how much of a let down not being accepted for services. Ive been in that position myself. 

Experian offer a free trial period to check your Credit File but as its a trial period ensure you cancel before the subscription starts. 

There are other avenues to check your Credit File such as Noddle and Clear Score to check your Credit Score. 

Regarding Credit Houses " Each reference agency has different factors and approaches which they use. This means that each credit reference agency may have a different credit scoring model and show you a different credit score. For example, while one agency may score you out of 1000 another may score you out of 700, which makes them difficult to compare directly."

So sometimes it can make a difference to which agency the business uses to run a Credit Check on someone.

Failing a Credit Check can be for quite a few reasons and what makes it hard is that due to the Data Protection Acts Vodafone cannot advise why they've not accepted you on this occasion. 

Ive known people with very good credit scores not be accepted for applications. 

Instances such as too many searches grouped together can look like a person is over stretching themselves which is why some businesses have introduced Soft Searches which show up on your Credit File to you but not to anyone conducting a search of their own. 

If you wish to apply again then please leave at least 90 days before applying again to allow your Credit File / Score to settle. 

If your not wanting to apply for the Vea Employers Discount which only is applied if you take out a contract directly with Vodafone then perhaps consider trying through an independent such as Carphone Warehouse. It just means your CPW Customer with Vodafone supplying the network connection. 

I wish you well. 

[N1kk1-M]

Thank you.im really gutted as my phone no longer works which left me in an awkward position when my car broke down.i was stranded. I'e borrowed an S4 off a family member. I guess I will have to borrow it for longer. Thanks for the reply. Truly gutted. I'd bought a case for my shiny S8.... (weep)

[hrym]

There are many reasons why credit checks fail and, yes, you'll never be given a reason.  I don't think this is anything to do with the DPA, but rather confidentially - no credit provider wants to give away hints on how to game the system!

However ... I've seen a check fail because an important piece of information was entered incorrectly and there was a mismatch with the reference agency.

Leave this here and, if the forum team can help, they'll contact you privately.   It may be that this can be escalated to credit file support and re-checked.   You may still get a refusal, but at least you'll know it's not down to phat phinger trouble.

It would also be worth having a look at your credit record to see firstly if a check has been made (I've seen the link fail too, and the system to default to "computer says no") or whether there's anything untoward on your file, such as a problem with the address or an incorrect link to someone else.

[BandOfBrothers]

You are very welcome @N1kk1-M

Have you thought about SIM Only which in my experience people seem to pass for but it includes no phone or Payg in the interim.

Buying the s8 I know is quite expensive! I know as I always buy my phones sim free so at full retail price.

There are shops like CEX that buy and sell phones. 

I'm just thinking of ways you can still make the move to Vodafone if the Credit Check remains a problem. 

On a side note - Can I ask if you have checked that the Vodafone network does give good signal where you live work and commute by at least using a Payg SIM card. I ask because Online Network Checkers give an indication only. I wouldnt want you cancelling and then not having signal etc. 

[N1kk1-M]

@bandofbrothers 

Someone in the next village has vodafone and their's seems to work fine. It's a risk I guess but the deal was too good to pass up. EE couldn' come close. It's weird though. They managed to drop a full £20 per month off the deal they first gave me, and an extra gb of data, once I asked for my pac code.....hmm. 

[BandOfBrothers]

When a person asks a Network for a Pac code then that can sometimes instigate a "why are you leaving" question that can be coupled with well we'll do this to retain your business. 

[N1kk1-M]

Yes. It' a shame they don' try and make you stay beforehand. I will now ask for a pac code first 😉. I'm not sure if EE will do a credit check also if I go from my sim card deal back to a contract phone. So not even sure if I can go back to their offer anyway. Like you said, I may need to try again at a later date. I'e gone in and changed my name to my married name now , so maybe that will help. 

[BandOfBrothers]

If your already with a Network and have a monthly contract then they should not need to credit check again as long as the account has been run well with bills paid on time. 

Sometimes offers can only last for so long on tne table or a kind of accept it now or leave it at the time. 

[N1kk1-M]

Hi. I have checked my credit score now. It is really good. No strange occurrences or bad credit. Not sure what to do now. Might risk it and reapply or do you think there is a way of appealing?

Cheers for the help. Really appreciated