3 credit checks for a sim only contract 14 July 2022 at 8:24AM in Credit file & ratings 5 replies 211 views

Jordanparly92

I applied for a contract with carphpone warehouse sim only on a 30 day rolling contract 

it appears 3 searches have been done seems a bit excessive 

PRAISETHESUN

I agree more than one search for 1 application sounds excessive, but realistically I think this is more likely to be an issue with the notification more than anything else. I'd recommend checking how many hard searches actually get added on your next credit file, and log a complaint with Carphone Warehouse if there's more than 1.

Jordanparly92

PRAISETHESUN said:

I agree more than one search for 1 application sounds excessive, but realistically I think this is more likely to be an issue with the notification more than anything else. I'd recommend checking how many hard searches actually get added on your next credit file, and log a complaint with Carphone Warehouse if there's more than 1.

I will monitor how this gets logged on my credit file officially next month thanks for the advice

Chrysalis

I think this is abuse of the credit file system, one has to question a company who considers a rolling 30 day contract enough to warrant a credit check.  I would like to see changes in law where only specific types of lending actually carry out checks.

macman

Bear in mind that if a SIM is stolen or misused, for premium rate or international calls, for example, then the debt could potentially be very high. The monthly fee might be low-value, but the potential exposure is not.

Grumpy_chap

The multiple searches could be CarPhone Warehouse and then the actual network also doing a check.

I find that mobile contracts have one of the most stringent credit checking of anywhere. 
It is the only time I have ever actually been point-blank refused a contract agreement (compared to other places that might ask for extra detail / time to assess).   It was also all a simple rejection and no opportunity to discuss or gain any clarity from anyone at the service provider.

My case was also, like the OP's, buying a mobile fully paid upfront plus a cheap sim-only contract (£10 per month with cap on over-spend at £5).  Seems like very low risk to the provider.
Maybe they have stringent credit rules because of scams with the top-end phones being sold on and then defaults and / or the possibility of exposure linked to premium / international calls?