Does ATT check credit for existing customers?
This is a common question for many AT&T Internet customers, who are concerned if the company will check their credit score for existing customers looking to upgrade their service, change a plan, add new devices to their account, or make any other alteration. The short answer is – yes, in some cases, AT&T does perform credit checks on current customers. Here's what you need to know.
Why does AT&T check credit for existing customers?
AT&T says that, when an existing customer wishes to make some changes to his or her account, the company may review the customer’s credit report. This enables AT&T to assess financial risk and identify if the customer is still eligible for any promotions or rebates. Some of the specific situations where AT&T might check your credit include.
- Switching from one unlimited plan to another of a higher tier
- Expanding the scope of services offered
- Browse through the available installment plans on AT&T and buy a new device through one of them
- Having problems with paying bills or making payments on time
In other words, if you wish to make a change that calls for a longer-term service commitment or financing arrangement, this service provider must ensure that you are still eligible from a credit perspective. This goes a long way in protecting customers from falling prey to a financially risky decision.
What type of credit check does AT&T conduct?
AT&T claims that they perform a ‘soft credit check’ not the ‘hard credit check.’ A soft credit check does not impact the credit score in any bad way – it simply lets the company look at your credit report. The hard inquiry usually takes place when applying for a new credit card or a loan as the credit granting agency must calculate the specific likelihood of the applicant’s approval. Soft checks are non-adverse and are used solely to provide information.
The AT&T website asserts it whenever they conduct a credit check it is just an inquiry and does not affect your score or show it to other people. This way you can be assured that whether you are applying for a mortgage or car loan, credit checks done by AT&T will not influence the final result. But if you are applying as a new customer for att service then it means a hard inquiry is made and visible to others.
Consequences of Having a Poor Credit Rating on AT&T
If you have bad credit or if AT&T considers you creditworthy not to meet your bills as and when due, you are likely to be required to deposit a larger down payment or deposit whenever you wish to purchase a new device or upgrade to another service. Normally, the deposit should not exceed the amount of internet service charges for one month. AT&T could also deny some account changes, limit others such as financing more devices, or pass the account up for further review within the company. However, they say that in cases where it is possible, they will sit down with the customers to find reasonable solutions.
In conclusion, as the case of AT&T shows, it is crucial to realize that these carriers have a business need to maintain desirable, mutually beneficial long-term horizon relationships. Although credit checks can sometimes be a hassle, they are a normal practice that was implemented to ensure that consumers do not go over their limits. An existing AT&T customer must maintain good credit health. Monitor your account’s usage and charges frequently, pay your bills on time, and inform AT&T right from the start of any problems that come up with your usage. This places you in the best standing to capitalize on new customer offers and upgrades when the time arises!
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