Credit Check

[anubis]

I don't understand why the deposit should be anything over $175 (the cost to cancel the contract). I figure that it should be $175, and if you are too late at paying your bill, they cancel your contract and keep the $175.

Deposits are high in case you go over your minutes and rack up several hundred dollars a month in standard and extra service/overages. They will let you not pay your bill for several months (3-4) before they terminate your line, and if your bill is $200/month with service and overages, that can easily get up to $600-$800. However, they figure people with good credit won't be irresponsible like that and will pay their bills on time. Also, the prior poster was correct that cell phones and utilities don't build your credit profile. They are dependent on your credit, but don't contribute anything to it. The only things that build your credit are, of course, loans and credit cards (but only if you pay them on time!)

 

[pr5owner]

how do these credit checks work? ive never heard of a wireless carrier doing a background or credit check to anyone i know.

this is how i signed up for my first phone (as well as my 2nd and 3rd)

go to rogers, ask for nokia xxxx model (cant remember model it was 3 years ago), they ask for my name, address, photo ID, then ask me to choose a number, they activate the sim either on website or through phone, pop the sim in the phone, make a test call, send me on my way.

my dad followed the same procedure except hes with bell (CDMA, no sim)
same with my sister and the coworker that i was with from my last job. and i know she was in debt cuz of school and stuff.

i also got a plan with only buying a sim card, i already had an unlocked BB-8700r so i asked for a sim, and a good plan.

do they do a credit check only if you get a phone AND a plan? or anytime you sign up for service? maybe this is only in the states, who knows.