Credit Checks?

Vita · 28 Sep 2010 at 18:41

I'm looking to buy a mobile phone contract (I've always had payg), and have been told mobile operators do credit checks on you.

I've never paid any bills, I'm a student and unemployed (never had a job), and well my parents support me. And I have some savings.

Do I have a credit report I can view? Or is it only for people who work/pay bills?

And do you guys think I'll be able to get the contract it's for £40/month for 18/months. I can afford it with the savings I have.

Thanks in advance.

MiNxYyY · 28 Sep 2010 at 18:41

Credit check is done to your address isnt it?

Marff · 28 Sep 2010 at 18:43

I was in the same situation as you earlier this year. No job, full time student, never paid any bills. But i got my contract with no issues. (with o2).. So really you should be fine.

Russinating · 28 Sep 2010 at 18:44

You'll probably have no credit rating, so will be fine for a contract.

Vita · 28 Sep 2010 at 18:45

Marff said:
I was in the same situation as you earlier this year. No job, full time student, never paid any bills. But i got my contract with no issues. (with o2).. So really you should be fine.

Thanks, It's a iphone 4 contract with o2 if that's any help? I'm new to this and, am just worried about these things as I don't know how to go about them.

Vita · 28 Sep 2010 at 19:26

So I'll be ok right?

subbass · 28 Sep 2010 at 19:43

You can get a credit report from Experian or Equifax. They are two of the biggest credit agencies that most companies use to check. O2 I believe use Experian. If say your report on Experian looks bad due to miss payments on a credit card etc.. they could turn you down. What you see on your reports from both agencies can be bit a different as different companies might report to one agency or both.

Do you have a student credit card? The report does not show your saving accounts. Only your current account, credit card accounts etc..

Generall speaking though, mobile phone companies are more lenient, so chances you may get accepted. You will only know if you try. Having said that, applying for a lot of phone contracts, credit cards, loans etc in a short space of time can have an adverse effect.

Vita · 28 Sep 2010 at 19:45

subbass said:
You can get a credit report from Experian or Equifax. They are two of the biggest credit agencies that most companies use to check. O2 I believe use Experian. If say your report on Experian looks bad due to miss payments on a credit card etc.. they could turn you down. What you see on your reports from both agencies can be bit a different as different companies might report to one agency or both.

Do you have a student credit card?

Generall speaking though, mobile phone companies are more lenient, so chances you may get accepted. You will only know if you try. Having said that, applying for phone contracts, credit cards, loans etc in a short space of time can have an adverse effect.

Thanks for the reply. I know about Experian/Equifax. I do not have a student credit card, just debit. I don't have any Direct Debits set up either. Is that a factor? I'm just wanting a mobile phone contract at the moment.

[TW]Fox · 28 Sep 2010 at 19:45

Vita said:
I'm a student and unemployed (never had a job)

And I have some savings.

You might have problems - I did when I was 18 and had no credit history etc. Especially as you dont have a job etc. If you were a lender (These guys are lending you airtime remember) would you lend to somebody who didnt have a job?

If you dont earn any money and never have do you not think luxury phones should wait until you... are earning money?

Vita · 28 Sep 2010 at 19:48

[TW]Fox;17469661 said:
You might have problems - I did when I was 18 and had no credit history etc. Especially as you dont have a job etc. If you were a lender (These guys are lending you airtime remember) would you lend to somebody who didnt have a job?

If you dont earn any money and never have do you not think luxury phones should wait until you... are earning money?

Savings from what parents have given me in the past years.

I see your point, but if I can afford it for the full time contract, then why shouldn't I go for it? I don't want to buy it sim free.

[TW]Fox · 28 Sep 2010 at 19:52

Surely if you've never worked and never earnt any money what little money you have is quite precious to you? Therefore really is there any need to waste it on the most overpriced phone around? Save that until you earn money every month or something.

Morgoth · 28 Sep 2010 at 19:54

22 and never had a job?

When I was 12 I was down the pit!

Vita · 28 Sep 2010 at 19:58

[TW]Fox;17469724 said:
Surely if you've never worked and never earnt any money what little money you have is quite precious to you? Therefore really is there any need to waste it on the most overpriced phone around? Save that until you earn money every month or something.

Well, no. My spending is not a lot, so like I said I can afford it over 18/months no problem. However, I do understand where you are coming from, and it would be the most sensible thing to do.

It was just the whole credit check scenario that was confusing me. My friend who works for o2 did say, they would give me a contract on the basis I give a deposit ranging from anything between £50-250 quid. Which I do get back at the end of the contract.

[TW]Fox · 28 Sep 2010 at 20:00

Have you thought about getting a job like everyone else? Then you wouldnt need to worry about whether you can get a phone contract or not

Getting a job is great, you can buy stuff!

subbass · 28 Sep 2010 at 20:02

I know you said you didn't want to buy it on sim free, but perhaps you can buy the handset and with a month sim only contract? Will be a tad more expensive but it might be easier to get.

[TW]Fox · 28 Sep 2010 at 20:03

If you dont have an income, just savings, I see no reason not to just buy it SIM free if you must have one. It will be cheaper than a contract and comes out of the same place anyway surely?

Vita · 28 Sep 2010 at 20:03

[TW]Fox;17469786 said:
Have you thought about getting a job like everyone else? Then you wouldnt need to worry about whether you can get a phone contract or not

Getting a job is great, you can buy stuff!

Yes I have. But I'd rather concentrate on my education and my parents would like that too. I know it's hard for people who work and get by on ends meet, and here I am asking about a luxury phone contract. Understandable.

Wizzfizz · 28 Sep 2010 at 20:04

[TW]Fox;17469786 said:
Have you thought about getting a job like everyone else? Then you wouldnt need to worry about whether you can get a phone contract or not

Getting a job is great, you can buy stuff!

He isn't really asking your advice on getting a job is he?

[TW]Fox · 28 Sep 2010 at 20:06

Wizzfizz said:
He isn't really asking your advice on getting a job is he?

I'm not asking your advice on posting on the internet either?

He's asking whether he will have issues signing credit agreements. I'm answernig that by explaining he may do, and will continue to do until he gets some sort of employment.

Wizzfizz · 28 Sep 2010 at 20:08

[TW]Fox;17469845 said:
I'm not asking your advice on posting on the internet either?

Anything to get to that 100k. I'm surprised you even have a job yourself with the amount of time you spend posting on here.