If you need debt advice we can help

[Zoe Gardner]

Hi there. I am discharged from bankruptcy and it is now 6 years from the date the bankruptcy was first filed. Will it be alright too apply for credit cards again now? Will my application be accepted do you think? Any advice would be really welcome.

[Hayden]

Hello Zoe, welcome to the forum.

Because 6 years has now passed since you were declared bankrupt, this means that the record of the bankruptcy will come off your credit file. As such it should make it easier for you to borrow again as when a lender does a credit check against you they will not be able to see that you were declared bankrupt.

I think the best thing you can do is get a copy of your credit file first of all to make sure that this has happened. You should then perhaps speak to your current bank and ask them about taking a small credit limit. If they refuse then so might other main stream lenders. As such you could apply for a small limit with someone like Vanquis cards. The interets is very hight but as ling as you pay the balance each month this will not affect you and it will start to build your credit rating back up again.

[Zoe Gardner]

Thanks very much for your reply Hayden. I will take your advice and get a copy of my credit file. Is there any quick and easy way I can do this on line?

[Steve Jackson]

Hi there Zoe

For the easiest way to get your credit file have a look at the BeatMyDebt.com guide to getting a copy of your credit file.

Once you have your file I would also suggest that you check to see whether any of your creditors have added default notices against any of your accounts. If so these may be dated post the date of your bankruptcy and as such if you do not act they will remain on your file after the record of the bankruptcy has been taken off and continue to affect your credit rating. To avoid this you can contact each creditor and ask them to amend the date of the default so that it is the same as the date of the bankruptcy. In this way they will all dissappear at the same time.

[Zoe Gardner]

Hi Steve

I have now got my file and the bankruptcy is not there. However as you suspected I still have defaults on my file. Do I have to speak to each of the creditoprs personally about this or just the credit reference agency? What happens if they refuse? Are there any arguements I can use? Thanks once again for all your help. Really useful.

[Hayden]

Hello Zoe

I think your creditors have to change the dates of the defaults to the date your were bankrupt based on the Data Protection Act. If they are being difficult about it then I believe that you say you will escalate a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office and then they normally get their act together.

[Steve Jackson]

Hi Zoe

Hayden is absolutely right. Your creditors have to amend the date they issued the defualt notices against you under the rules of the Data Protection Act. Quoting this will normally resolve any problems.