Just dodged a SKY Mobile bullet

bucksboomer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82100297#Comment_82100297

Actually in the screen flow which I followed the terms were hidden and in any event, unilateral terms can't be forced upon people without their explicit consent.

To be fair to Sky, they provided an option give my consent, quoted in my OP and that cost them the business

With Sky you prepay the amount monthly or pre-pay the whole year if it is low, even when it renews you prepay, if you miss a payment the service is suspended so there is no loss, in fact there are admin charges. So there is no credit EVER, I have dealt with Sky for many many years. They have screwed up in the past and given me a years free service, but I left because their whole approach to customers has changed. Staff in the retentions team told me they are simply not interested in competing. I have heard others say the same online.

YES I was happy to give the same data to Sky in the past because they did not share it, while on this deal they demanded I agree or else the deal would not proceed.

I did explain in the OP, Sky can't share my data unless I consent, they never used to share data for SIM only contracts. MSE used to even say in their promotions and websites which companies required a credit check. So by forcing customers to consent to the sharing they give data to the Credit Reference agencies, not just after signing the deal, but EVERY MONTH, for a £1 contract, no way would I accept that. As explained the data grab is because it give the Credit Ref DB monthly data and more complete data for DOB etc. It is not proportionate or reasonable on a SIM only contract for £1 or even whatever it reverts to, because CREDIT is never provided as the contract is ALWAYS prepaid.

JSmithy45AD

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82101013#Comment_82101013

Okey Dokey.

bucksboomer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82099865#Comment_82099865

The "what have you got to hide" argument is absurd, it is my data and my choice, hence consent required.

I choose to never take credit from companies, I pay what I owe, usually upfront or on presentation of an invoice by DD.

I will never pay a fee for a credit check and it has never been suggested or proposed.

Typically in the UK the company doing the search pays for the searches, consumers are charged in cases like a mortgage being taken out but these are very heavily regulated. I can only assume you introduced this concept of being charged for a credit fee to muddy the waters on the issue.

As explained, they already had the data, they had a long standing relationship with me, at my current address and previous addresses, no credit was being taken and the cost of the service was £1 a month, so it would fail reasonable and proportionate aspects of GDPR.

As for future contracts, if Sky wanted to upsell me at the end of the service to a mobile phone contract then I would expect them to run a CRA report at that time. Nobody can predict the future and even if the contract reverted to a higher charge (previously £6 or £8) this would be pre-paid and the service cut off if a DD failed to go through on any month and an admin fee applied.

southsidergs

Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill. Any provider would run a credit check

unforeseen

TBH they can ask for any (legal) information before they grant you a contract, even asking for your inside leg measurement.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82101071#Comment_82101071

How do they know your previous creditworthiness is still the case? You could have gone bankrupt since the last time you were a customer.

Unfortunately I don't see anyone agreeing with your viewpoint.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82101294#Comment_82101294

Quite, M&S could run a credit check before selling you a pair of socks - for cash.

Point being that they tell you beforehand and give you the choice of proceding or otherwise.

MiserlyMartin

Hi Bucksboomer. Thanks for the warning about this credit check by Sky mobile. It is totally unnecessary for a mobile sim like that. Your personal data also should be taken seriously. I would take no notice of some of your unhelpful replies. If people have nothing helpful or nice to say then they shouldn't reply at all, rather than come at you with their snide comments and holier-than-thou attitudes.

MiserlyMartin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82101516#Comment_82101516

They could in theory, but of course they wouldn't and the idea is absurd.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82112040#Comment_82112040

No more absurd than objecting to a credit check before being given a line of credit.

There are (almost) always other options other than credit to obtain goods or services - if you don't want the suppliers prying into your financials then pay cash.