I was in hospital for six weeks last year and spent a further three weeks in a convalescent home.
In that time, I missed a payment of a mail order shopping bill.
I sent off a cheque as soon as I was able, including the 25 late-payment fee, and explained what had happened.
A few weeks later, I applied for a Visa credit card, but was refused because I was on Experians debtors list.
I want to get off this list. I have called both Experian and the catalogue company, but cannot get a satisfactory reply. I have been in touch with my bank, which confirmed I had a healthy cheque account but otherwise couldnt help. I am 90 and have never had a bad debt until this incident last year.
Mrs E.J., Bolton.
Money Mail’s Money Doctor Margaret Stone replies: I checked with Experian, one of the UKs credit reference agencies, which confirmed you had been in touch, but had not completed the credit reference application form.
I have asked it to send you another.
But I can put your mind at rest: you are not on any credit blacklist. Experian says your credit reference file does not contain any adverse information, but shows your credit history in a positive light.
The reason you were turned down for a credit card has nothing to do with your late payment of the mail order bill.
Lenders are required to give the main reason why an application for credit was refused, but the answer probably wont help.
They commonly say a person hasnt scored enough points on their credit scoring system.
Credit scoring is basically a mechanical method used by lenders to check loan applicants against the profile of an ideal customer. Each answer to a question on an application form is given a plus or minus point. If you score enough ticks, you get the card or loan; if you dont, your application is turned down.
Age is something that may be taken into account.
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