Hard Search: Broadband Contract = Loan?

hellzking
hellzking Forumite Posts: 8
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in Credit file & ratings
Hi. I recently switched to BT for broadband after being with Sky for ages. During the order process, I was told about a credit check being run, but why does switching broadband have to be a hard search and not a soft one? Surely taking out broadband contract is not the same as taking a loan??
Plus, Sky never did a credit check when I signed up to their services. 
I just feel its a needless (unfair) hit on my credit score when no loan is involved.
Agree? Thoughts?

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,242
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    edited 7 May 2022 at 1:14PM
    It's not unusual. Lots of utilities report.

    The hit on your pretend credit score has no impact in the real world.
  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Forumite, Ambassador Posts: 28,058
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    It`s a service agreement, so a credit check will be done on you.

    As for "needless and "unfair", that is the system we are stuck with, if you want these services, then the price of entry is the credit search, it`s no big deal.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing [email protected]. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
  • F1shyFingers
    F1shyFingers Forumite Posts: 39
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    hellzking said:
    Hi. I recently switched to BT for broadband after being with Sky for ages. During the order process, I was told about a credit check being run, but why does switching broadband have to be a hard search and not a soft one? Surely taking out broadband contract is not the same as taking a loan??
    Plus, Sky never did a credit check when I signed up to their services. 
    I just feel its a needless (unfair) hit on my credit score when no loan is involved.
    Agree? Thoughts?

    Your credit score is irrelevant, lenders don't see it.

    Every hard search has a product type assigned to it, a lender won't really care that a telecoms hard search has been done.  They'll be slightly more interested in a financial product hard search, and much more so if it's multiple searches.
  • MalMonroe
    MalMonroe Forumite Posts: 5,783
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    I agree with others commenting, it's no big deal.  And your score is never seen by anyone but you. When you take out a contract with BT they'll want to check your credit history so they know whether or not you will be able to continue to pay. Happens to us all. And in my case, far worse things have happened to my credit report in the past. All now well and truly in the past though, happy to report.    :)
    Please note - taken from the Forum Rules and amended for my own personal use (with thanks) : It is up to you to investigate, check, double-check and check yet again before you make any decisions or take any action based on any information you glean from any of my posts. Although I do carry out careful research before posting and never intend to mislead or supply out-of-date or incorrect information, please do not rely 100% on what you are reading. Verify everything in order to protect yourself as you are responsible for any action you consequently take.
  • xlnc99
    xlnc99 Forumite Posts: 1,673
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    I doubt they did a credit check. Check if they did - BT in my experience never do one for BB
  • phillw
    phillw Forumite Posts: 5,585
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    edited 10 May 2022 at 8:49AM
    I'm not sure it would make sense for a lender to reject you because you switched broadband.

    If anything it shows you are financially savvy.

    I'd be looking for a lack of credit searches for mobile/broadband/energy etc. Those people are either careless with money, or trying to influence the decision because they know they wouldn't be given credit if they acted normall.y

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