If you have a less than pristine credit history, it can complicate things for you. It makes it difficult to access any type of borrowing, as well as do some other things. This includes getting a new phone on contract, as it usually requires you to undergo a credit check.
If you can’t show that you have a good credit score and are able to repay money that you borrow, many suppliers are not very enthusiastic about agreeing to give you a phone on contract. So what can you do if you have adverse credit, but you want a new phone? How can you find the best mobile deals that work for you?
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Can You Get a Contract Mobile With Adverse Credit?
A poor credit score doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t get a phone on contract. Everyone has to start somewhere with building their credit score, whether you have little credit history or you need to rebuild it after struggling to manage previous credit.
That’s why many retailers are still willing to sell you a contract mobile phone if the conditions are right. However, you have to be careful not to keep trying to buy a phone on a contract without considering why you are being rejected. Too many credit checks can damage your credit score further, and you should try to avoid having them over and over.
However, it is important to keep in mind that it is difficult to find a mobile provider that won’t carry out a credit check. Most want to make sure that you are capable of paying off your phone, and they will check this with a credit check. Fortunately, having bad credit doesn’t mean that you’re out of luck. There are some providers that offer bad credit deals, including ID Mobile and EE.
What Can You Do to Get a Contract Phone If You Have Bad Credit?
Someone with adverse credit can still get a mobile phone on contract if they know where to look, and they know which tricks to use. The first thing to do is to avoid aiming too high. You might like the look of the newest and most expensive phones, but choosing a cheaper phone will improve your chances. If you have already been rejected for a mobile once, don’t apply again until you have let some time pass. Credit checks show up on your credit report, and having too many of them doesn’t look good.
There are some simple things that you can do to improve your credit score too. Being on the electoral roll is important, so make sure to check that you are on it. It’s also important to know your credit score and what might be affecting it. Sign up with one of the free credit checking sites, such as Credit Karma, so that you can see your score. This also allows you to check for any mistakes that might be on your report so that you can have them corrected.
If you need to improve your credit score, having a credit card can be a good way to do it. Simply having the available credit is a good first step, and you can find various cards that are available for people with bad credit. The next step is to use your card for your regular expenses, and make sure to pay it off at the end of each month, before you are charged any interest. Of course, it’s important to pay off any other debts that you might have, so don’t stop making any payments.
What About SIM-only Deals?
Most mobile phone providers will perform a credit check if you want to buy a phone on contract. Even if you want to look at SIM-only contracts, you will find that most providers still want to perform a credit check. However, there are a few options for you to consider if you want a SIM-only deal with no credit check. You can find more information at CompareMyMobile.com, which suggests Giffgaff and Voxi as two options that you have available for SIM-only deals. A SIM-only deal will be easier for you to get, even if a credit check is required. If you really want to avoid a credit check, a pay as you go SIM will almost never require one.
Where Can You Find the Best Deals?
When you’re looking for the best mobile deals for people with adverse credit, it’s always best to look online. At CompareMyMobile, you can find some of the options for bad credit mobile phone plans. The site will show you which networks and which retailers might be good options if you’re looking for the right deal. ID Mobile, EE, and O2 could all offer possibilities to help you get the phone that you want.
Many deals have no upfront cost, but you might find that choosing a phone with a deal with a higher upfront cost could help you. However, if you prefer to receive money than spend it, you can also find a variety of deals that offer cashback and other perks. Some phones come with add-on services or free gifts that can help you to choose between the different deals that are on offer.
When You Find a Deal You Like
If you think that you’re ready to buy a phone with a deal that you have found, it’s always worth applying for the contract even if you’re a little unsure. You might be accepted even if you don’t have the best credit history. However, if you aren’t accepted, there are things that you can do to change your credit score or find an alternative that works for you. SIM-only deals and pay as you go SIMs are available, and buying a phone outright can sometimes be cheaper than buying it on a contract.
Don’t let adverse credit stop you from trying to get a mobile deal. You can still discover a range of options that might work out for you.