Mobile Phone Credit Checks

Hi folks,

Just a quick question.

I usually just buy my phones Sim free but found a good deal on Carphone Warehouse and another on Mobiles.co.uk that was hard to pass up.

I applied for the mobiles.co.uk phone and got turned down due to failing a credit check. I thought this was weird so applied for the Carphone warehouse deal (different network) and got turned down again.

Now, I currently owe no money. I am not overdrawn, I have never missed a payment to my credit card and have no black/red marks on my credit file. According to Noddle.co.uk I have a 5/5 credit rating - score of 650. I am on electoral register and all my financial history is correct.

So, my question, why am I being turned down? I make more than enough to cover £28 a month. Am I being silly and missing something? I've never been turned down for credit before.

I am aware the credit system can be fickle, but when my file (which they supposedly use) looks good and I still get turned down?

Thanks :P

Think I may end up just buying a sim free phone again. It's annoying though as I hope to go for a mortgage in the coming 2 years and wants to continue to build up my credit.

Check that your bank hasn't blocked a test payment. Mine did until the automated check (belatedly) rang me to confirm.

Can you ask Carphone warehouse why you were turned down, and who their credit reference agency is? Then you can take it up with them.

Not had to do that myself though, so not something I am very familiar with.

I asked on the phone and they just said "We can't discuss credit outcomes as we only receive the decision". Etc.

I am just going to buy the phone today. Then I will take out a sub for one month with Equifax and Experian. To see if I'm missing something.

Have you moved house, changed your name or anything? I've been having a look online and there seems to be quite a few cases of CPW having failed credit checks for no apparent reason.

I've moved 3 times in four years. We rent and most only offer 1 year leases. This is the first time we have stayed past the year. However, my credit history does show that I have been at my current address for 1 and a half years which is correct.

I am aware they don't like people who move, but when you rent, not a lot can be done!

I have never changed my name.

Yeah I'm not sure it's just a thought. If a human is involved with data entry on their side, could they have spelt something wrong or was it all entered on the website?

I'm really no expect, just taking stabs in the dark TBH.

You have Experian and Equifax. O2 & Vodafone use Experian (Orange did also before the merger), 3 and T Mobile (Now EE) use Equifax.

Things like credit canb be quite fickle, you must have credit to get credit, even bad credit can help you get credit as long as it is not extremely poor.

Personally I would try a different network, O2 tend to be REALLY strict with their credit checks, if it was O2 may I suggest trying Tesco instead as they are a little more leniant..

Well I just signed up to Experian. I have a credit Score of 540 which they rate as Excellent. SO that is both Noddle and Experian rating me as Excellent. The only one left is Equafax. But I can't remember my login from years ago and their office is closed till tomorrow so I will sort that out then. Either way, tis looking puzzling.

I just bought the phone Sim-free today. Lovely phone :P

The 2 networks I tried to join were EE (Who I am with but was going to leave and go through mobiles.co.uk) and Vodafone (who I was with years ago for 5 years - never missed a payment and no black marks).