Resolved Question

Why have I been refused credit from everywhere and I've never had credit before. I'm 18?

I cant get credit from anywhere, ive been refused by every phone contract store and catalogues etc?

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Uk answer: They probably have no credit information to look at when you make an application which makes it harder for them to assess whether you are a good credit risk. It would certainly help if you were registered on the voters' roll, so check your credit report and get registered with your local council if necessary. You may want to approach your own bank or building society for an overdraft on your current account - so long as you have your regular income paid in, they can look at this. Even if you do not make use of the overdraft facility, your bank will report this information out to the credit reference agencies - see http://redo.me.uk/freecreditreport in order to see your credit report online.

Regarding your phone, operators see it as less of a credit risk when you apply online because they get additional confirmation of your address when you sign for the phone when it is delivered. Orange have some excellent online deals - see http://redo.me.uk/orange -- if you cannot get accepted, try going for SIM only deal which requires a lower credit score - you can always upgrade after demonstrating payment for a few months.

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Other Answers (2)

• 18 year olds are viewed as extreme credit risks in the current economy. No 18-20 year old is going to get unsecured lines of credit right now...it's not just you.
  
  Filling out multiple applications for new credit all at once can damage your credit rating as doing this makes you look financially desperate (even if you are not).
  
  To help build a good credit history, it can be beneficial to get a secured credit card, the kind where you put up a security deposit and your credit limit is equal to that. Carry a small balance and pay it off over time. You can use this to gradually rebuild a history of on-time payments that will be reported to the credit bureaus. Your best bet is to get one through a credit union, as they have the best deals for secured cards.
• same here mate not just you but try virgin mobile first things i got and had em for 3 months now ive got 2 accounts with them they will put you on the ladder