Denied service by phone co.

[F117NightHawk]

I currently have a phone account with Ameritech. I wanted to get my line changed over to a new company called Talk America. However, when I tried to, they denied my request citing a bad credit report. That's impossible because I don't even have a credit card. Ameritech didn't give me a problem when I signed up for a phone line from them. Is there some new requirement that you need a credit card to get phone service?

 

[Beau]

A bad credit report doesn't mean that you have negative marks on it, it may also mean that you have a limited credit history.

 

[kranky]

If they denied you for bad credit, the letter should have explained how you can get a free copy of your credit report. You ought to get it just to make sure there are no errors on it.

 

[F117NightHawk]

There was no letter. This happened over the phone. The rep gave me the phone # of this company called Equifax (a credit reporting company). When I called and put in my info, they said they couldn't give me a credit report. Well of course not, because I don't have a credit history! Apparently these new phone companies require a credit card!

 

[StageLeft]

I don't know how long you've lived in the US but if your social security number has been around for a while you should at least have a retrievable record - I've spoken to people at Equifax many times about such things so try calling them back.

In my area if you have poor credit or nonexistent you simply give a down payment of $100. I find it surprising that a phone company would reject somebody with a nonexistent history and not even allow them to give a down payment.

 

[Medea]

Call Talk America and ask to speak to a supervisor. Advise him/her that you applied for an account on [date] and you were denied citing a bad credit report. Indicate that you want the decision reduced to writing and forwarded to your home. If the person refuses, advise him that federal law requires a written denial when citing a bad credit report and, if you don't receive a letter from them within the next 5 business days, you'll report them to the FCC (& add any other agency you want to).
Make sure you get the supervisor's name FIRST before you start getting into your facts and note the date and time you spoke with him/her.

 

[MrCodeDude]

When I first read Ameritech, I thought it said Anandtech
-- mrcodedude

 

[F117NightHawk]

Thx, but if they're gonna deny me service for something so stupid, I'd just rather take my business elsewhere. My concern is, am I going to have this problem with every phone company I call?:disgust:

 

[F117NightHawk]

<< When I first read Ameritech, I thought it said Anandtech
-- mrcodedude >>



LOL, no Anandtech's a far cry from Ameritech.

 

[kranky]

This is just a guess, but I bet the companies that will bill you on your regular phone bill would be easier to deal with than the ones who would bill you separately.

 

[RossMAN]

<< My concern is, am I going to have this problem with every phone company I call?:disgust: >>



Unfortunately I think you will have the same problem with other phone providers.

How recently did they decline you phone service? I know that whenever you are denied any sort of home loan/car loan/credit card they always mail you a decline letter stating their reasons why and entitling you to a free copy of your credit report within 90 days of the decline letter.

Ask them if you will be mailed a decline letter. If you are, order your credit bureau to make sure that everything stated is accurate (even if you do have NO CREDIT, do it just in case they're reporting some BS which doesn't belong to you).

 

[F117NightHawk]

<<

<< My concern is, am I going to have this problem with every phone company I call?:disgust: >>



Unfortunately I think you will have the same problem with other phone providers.

How recently did they decline you phone service? I know that whenever you are denied any sort of home loan/car loan/credit card they always mail you a decline letter stating their reasons why and entitling you to a free copy of your credit report within 90 days of the decline letter.

Ask them if you will be mailed a decline letter. If you are, order your credit bureau to make sure that everything stated is accurate (even if you do have NO CREDIT, do it just in case they're reporting some BS which doesn't belong to you). >>



This whole thing happened just today. They didn't say anything about mailing a letter. They told me to call Equifax and they wouldn't help me either. Could this also be because I've been at my current job for less than a year, or maybe because it's only part time? I don't have a credit bureau because I don't have a credit card. I just have a regular checking account. In the olden days, that's all you needed. But I guess now they do a background check, credit check and employment history check and will probably soon require a drug test just so you can get phone service! Thx anyway.

 

[Medea]

Nighthawk -

I think you should get your credit report so you can see it for yourself. Either get Talk America to mail you a denial citing bad credit which would get you a credit report for free or pay for one. Either way you go, it'll ease your mind to know what it says.

Good luck.

 

[Descartes]

<< That's impossible because I don't even have a credit card >>



You don't have to have a credit card, or ever have even applied for credit, to have bad credit. If they really said "bad" credit, there must be something on there, and it's not just a lack of history. That's an issue of semantics, and as everyone suggested, you should get a credit report and check.

Have you bounced checks and let them go to collections? Have you ever been so late on a utility that it went to collections? There are many other reasons you can have bad credit.

 

[F117NightHawk]

<<

Have you bounced checks and let them go to collections? Have you ever been so late on a utility that it went to collections? >>



No and no. A couple times I've spent more than I had, but the bank just covered it and charged me an NSF fee.

UPDATE: OK, this is interesting. I went to the Equifax website (they're the company that the rep mentioned when he said they couldn't complete my order) and I had the website run a credit profile check by entering all the personal info and it said it couldn't verify my identity. The only reason I can think of for that would be that I live with my parents and they own the house. Could that be my problem?

 

[Thegonagle]

You're a "ghost," meaning your credit history doesn't exist yet. Ask the bank for a credit card. Use it and keep it in good condition. Try again in six months. Alternately, you can probably get an account opened if you leave a deposit. Did they give you that option?

 

[jamison]

Just a question here. If you are under the age of 18, do you have a credit report?

 

[Thegonagle]

<< Just a question here. If you are under the age of 18, do you have a credit report? >>


Yes, if you have credit in your name, even with a parent as a co-x.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Like stated - you have no credit. It's like loaning money to someone you've never met before on the street - they say they'll pay you back, but how do you know they will?



<< Thx, but if they're gonna deny me service for something so stupid, I'd just rather take my business elsewhere. My concern is, am I going to have this problem with every phone company I call? >>



Um, that's not stupid. Pretty much anything you finance in your lifetime will be based on credit or have something to do with it. It's called the real world.

 

[F117NightHawk]

<< Alternately, you can probably get an account opened if you leave a deposit. Did they give you that option? >>



No, they did not. :disgust:

 

[F117NightHawk]

<< Just a question here. If you are under the age of 18, do you have a credit report? >>



I'm over 18 and have no credit report/history. I guess I need to get credit history, huh?

 

[F117NightHawk]

<< Um, that's not stupid. Pretty much anything you finance in your lifetime will be based on credit or have something to do with it. It's called the real world. >>



Then why don't ISPs do credit checks on potential customers? I just signed up for a DSL account and didn't go thru this.