I failed a credit check when buying phone.

d123 · 14-03-2015, 23:46

Quote:

You probably be fine with say 2 or 3 checks in a month but I think more then that it will look dodgy to them.

The best way to improve your chances is to build up a payment history with the company, so get a PAYG sim if you need to and top it up by say £10 a month, and that tells them you can manage a £10 a month contract.

PAYG does nothing to build a credit history, not even an internal score at the network concerned.

Chrysalis · 15-03-2015, 00:31

I find that comment odd knowing some people who had failed credit checks then been called by sales reps within a year offering them contract deals matching what they spent on PAYG.

Almost every commercial company out there I would expect to look at transaction history with the client to assess credit viability.

To add PAYG will not build a credit history agreed, as it doesnt go on credit file. However I would find it unusual practice for it not be used on internal credit scoring.

d123 · 15-03-2015, 00:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

To add PAYG will not build a credit history agreed, as it doesnt go on credit file. However I would find it unusual practice for it not be used on internal credit scoring.

It doesn't, I've had experience on the billing systems of 3 networks, there is absolutely no internal cross checking as to how many top ups a PAYG user might buy, or how regularly they do so. It proves nothing but the person buys a topup when they have some cash, not that they will ensure they have the funds available for a DD on the same day every month.

A PAYG customer going to contract goes through the same process as a newcomer to the network with regard to credit checking. Only existing contract customers are internally checked if they apply for additional lines or services. I would find it a quite unusual practice to do otherwise, IMO.

Chrysalis · 15-03-2015, 04:39

When I worked for a mobile telco they would check at 6 month intervals value of PAYG topups and divide it by 6. But granted this was some years ago, however my reference to people been offered contracts after using PAYG is recent, although none with EE.

Most of my experience with credit checks is with credit cards tho.

14-03-2015, 23:46	#51
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by Chrysalis You probably be fine with say 2 or 3 checks in a month but I think more then that it will look dodgy to them. The best way to improve your chances is to build up a payment history with the company, so get a PAYG sim if you need to and top it up by say £10 a month, and that tells them you can manage a £10 a month contract. PAYG does nothing to build a credit history, not even an internal score at the network concerned.

15-03-2015, 00:31	#52
Chrysalis Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leics Posts: 581	I find that comment odd knowing some people who had failed credit checks then been called by sales reps within a year offering them contract deals matching what they spent on PAYG. Almost every commercial company out there I would expect to look at transaction history with the client to assess credit viability. To add PAYG will not build a credit history agreed, as it doesnt go on credit file. However I would find it unusual practice for it not be used on internal credit scoring.

15-03-2015, 00:45	#53
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by Chrysalis To add PAYG will not build a credit history agreed, as it doesnt go on credit file. However I would find it unusual practice for it not be used on internal credit scoring. It doesn't, I've had experience on the billing systems of 3 networks, there is absolutely no internal cross checking as to how many top ups a PAYG user might buy, or how regularly they do so. It proves nothing but the person buys a topup when they have some cash, not that they will ensure they have the funds available for a DD on the same day every month. A PAYG customer going to contract goes through the same process as a newcomer to the network with regard to credit checking. Only existing contract customers are internally checked if they apply for additional lines or services. I would find it a quite unusual practice to do otherwise, IMO.

15-03-2015, 04:39	#54
Chrysalis Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leics Posts: 581	When I worked for a mobile telco they would check at 6 month intervals value of PAYG topups and divide it by 6. But granted this was some years ago, however my reference to people been offered contracts after using PAYG is recent, although none with EE. Most of my experience with credit checks is with credit cards tho.

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I failed a credit check when buying phone.