mobile contract - credit check

char_student

Hello all!

I have had my vodafone mobile on contract for 3 years and I want a change.

I want to order a T Mobile one but am worried about the credit check! I dont have a bad credit rating - I just dont have a credit rating. Im a single parent and a university student but I dont work. (Loans etc support me)

Anyway someone told me that if you buy instore they do not do a credit check and instead just check you have more than £2 in your account (A T Mobile employee told me this)

However if I apply online they will do a full credit check, is there any truth in what I have said?

I managed to get the vodafone phone I have now on contract 3 years ago and I was not working then.

jhp

All networks conduct credit checks for new mobile contracts. If they did not they would be awash with bad debt.

char_student

Yes but I dont think credit checks on mobile networks can be the same as if I wanted a loan for instance. The amounts of money are completely different and phones only require £20+ a month.

Like I said I got a contract before when I had no credit rating. I am a student and I dont work so there is no way I can obtain a credit rating.

teffers

If you have a mobile contract, that's listed as a credit agreement in your credit report, along with your payment history etc - That forms part of your credit rating along with electoral roll information etc.

Loans are different from phones it's true but only in that someone who is loaning you a £1000 is likely to be more strict on your credit score than somone who is offering you a phone contract - e.g the phone company (usually) has less to lose so will take onboard customers with a lower credit score.