Bad Credit

[tinkerbell23]

How does one start to rebuild credit?

I really dont have good credit sadly.

Many mistakes when i was younger, redundancy, went to uni...

How do i rebuild?

I am on voters roll.

I did try for a rebuild credit card and was refused- i only tried once.

Silly mistakes please dont judge. X

[tinkerbell23]

Och the minute i turned 18 i tripped over myself to get a mobile contract and a credit card...ran up debts, my dad paid off over drafts etc, then i moved out and just DID NOT want to move back home as i was too unhappy so i ran up debt.

From what i can see i owe just over £4000

5 defaults?

I must say one or two things are not me. And im thinking someonelse has opened them in my name at somepoint, likely family.

Not going to say much about it. Hung for a sheep than hung for a lamb i guess!!

So. I wonder do i contact whoever and offer a small gesture a month? Or can they force me to pay alot? X

[tinkerbell23]

Ps luma credit card just said NO.

Thats the second company i dont want to keep trying them x

[ummmm]

Most companies will accept a small amount each month. It's better than nothing.

Have none of them taken you to court?

[tinkerbell23]

Oh, and no bankruptices, insolvencies or judgements on my account x

[tinkerbell23]

Not that im aware of Ummm!

Ive moved address a few times x

[ummmm]

I assume any judgements would be on your credit file.

[Retrochic]

Tinnkerbell Start with Experian -you can get a credit history immediately on line for about £12. Things that build your credit history are:
being on the electoral role
paying as many bills as possible by direct debit
getting a SIM only phone contract
Any ccj's or bad debt will not show up on your credit history after 7 years.

[tinkerbell23]

Thanks retro & ummm

I used "noddle" and got my rating its 1/5 so pretty rubbish,

Not as bad as i expected to be honest.

Ive dodged it for years so im wondering if i just call everyone & come clean and offer £10 a month or whatever i can and get it paid.

It really hangs over me sometimes. I definately know at least two or three of the things on my file are NOT me x

[ummmm]

Doesn't that depend on whether the company has been chasing the debt or not?

[Retrochic]

Tinkerbell -this is my opinion only and I'm not advocating you doing this just telling you facts. If your debt is over 3 years old they have more than likely sold it on(this includes bank overdrafts) If you have never been contacted by the firm they have sold it on to, not corresponded or replied in any way, after 7 years your debt is written off and no longer is taken into account on your credit file. You can check out this fact on line.

[bednobs]

i thought it was six years? And only if you've provided them with up to date addresses?

[tinkerbell23]

Retro...to be honest thats what ive been doing...ignoring it. The odd letter comes but not alot.
2007, 2009 & 2010 are some of these dates i have things for on my file x

[tinkerbell23]

I didnt know how many years, bad as it sounds i have just shoved my head in the sand hoping it will go away.

And possibly relying on the fact that eventually it can.

To be fair the adress i have now is available cos i voted.
Previous address is my parents home aswell. X

[ummmm]

Bednobs...that was my understanding too.

[tinkerbell23]

Letters do go to my parents address now & again.

Honestly- ive ignored them x

[ummmm]

What I believe happens is as long as they are chasing you then it'll stay on your credit file. It'll come off after 6 years if they've written the debt off. After 6 years they can still chase you for the debt but they can no longer take you to court to enforce it.

[tinkerbell23]

What to do!!!!!

Big regret. X

[tinkerbell23]

It will mostly all be 6 years old debt in june approx.


Wonder if i should wait till then- then contact and pay whats left. X