topic Re: Credit Checks in Discussions & Feedback

Credit Checks

Jennymac — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:08:50 GMT

Hi, wondering if this is a common issue. I tried to upgrade my mobile earlier but was declined via O2 app at the checkout. Assumed it was an error and phoned them and it happened again. I have good credit with both Experian and Clear Score with no recent hard searches, own home, on electoral roll etc etc. The customer service advisor suggested I wait 3 months and try again! Don’t want to try again with a different company as I’m assuming this will be a hard search which will take a while to drop off? Has anyone had any luck when emailing credit referrals in terms of getting an answer as to why its been declined? Never had this issue before when getting an upgrade. Thanks!

Re: Credit Checks

madasaf1sh — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:11:35 GMT

@Jennymac

Best option is to call into an o2 store or call the sales team on 0808 002 0202 and no one will tell you why you have failed the credit check or the affordability checks..

The hard search drops off after 12months..

Re: Credit Checks

MI5 — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:11:36 GMT

@Jennymac

Give it 30 days and go elsewhere.

You've no chance with O2 now.

Re: Credit Checks

Jennymac — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:37:18 GMT

how annoying! I’ve been with them for years. But my current phone is 4 years old and dying a slow death so definitely need a new one, not waiting 3 months!

Re: Credit Checks

Enlli — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:46:47 GMT

Just walk. Loyalty is not a coinage that is accepted

Re: Credit Checks

Oxonian — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 21:01:38 GMT

@Jennymac

You won't get an explanation as to why you were declined ; the view is that giving reasons might encourage folks to try to circumvent the tests and could even facilitate fraud.

Re: Credit Checks

Oxonian — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 21:05:32 GMT

@Jennymac wrote:
how annoying! I’ve been with them for years. But my current phone is 4 years old and dying a slow death so definitely need a new one, not waiting 3 months!

@Jennymac

You can buy direct from manufacturers, such as Samsung, and pay by installments.

Similarly, you can apply for credit if purchasing from a store such as Argos.

Bear in mind that you might be able to trade in your current handset for money-off, or sell it on the second-hand market to someone like Mazuma Mobile.

Re: Credit Checks

mobilemandan — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 22:06:33 GMT

Always used to be if you paid your bills and didn't owe anything you could always upgrade. Have heard they now credit check you for upgrading and can then be declined but seems many confusing mixed messages

Re: Credit Checks

Oxonian — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 17:21:28 GMT

@mobilemandan

O2 appear to do a credit check if someone wants to upgrade. Whether this is in some cases or in all cases we do not really know.

However, the "confusing mixed messages" are from customers. I am not sure that O2 have made any statement on this at all. Furthermore, this tends to be the way that businesses operate, as any statement about credit checking will invariably encourage folks to try to circumvent the tests built into the credit check and could even facilitate fraud.

Re: Credit Checks

mobilemandan — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:59:41 GMT

Anyone else on 360 been declined for an upgrade? I know I asked a few times in the past just interested if people are now getting declined upgrades or if the credit check mentioned happens is a soft one that just checked your o2 payment history etc….

Re: Credit Checks

Enlli — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:32:00 GMT

Upgraded online. Asked age, profession, annual income, how long I had been at house etc.

Re: Credit Checks

Oxonian — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 20:14:20 GMT

@mobilemandan wrote:
Anyone else on 360 been declined for an upgrade? I know I asked a few times in the past just interested if people are now getting declined upgrades or if the credit check mentioned happens is a soft one that just checked your o2 payment history etc….

We do not know the answer to that @mobilemandan. O2 will not divulge such information as it could facilitate circumvention or fraud, and every individual does not know :-

a) what goes on behind the scenes, and

b) whether what happens is specific and personal to them or if it will happen to the next person in the queue.

I know this interests you but it is a question to which I do not see you getting a robust answer. 👍

Re: Credit Checks

jonsie — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 20:17:34 GMT

It would appeear that the post by @Enlli suggests a hard credit search

He is on 360 so that is the answer to @mobilemandan that he asked

Re: Credit Checks

Enlli — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 22:13:06 GMT

@jonsie @mobilemandan

Once I had answered the affordability questions a screen popped up to say it looked like I would be accepted for credit.

It was only about 30 seconds after that that things went through.

Credit file is not updated as it is too soon, but we shall see if a search took place

Re: Credit Checks

madasaf1sh — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 22:45:42 GMT

@mobilemandan wasn't asking o2, he was asking members of the community for their feedback, and experiences..

Another post that adds nothing to the conversation ... grrrr

Re: Credit Checks

Janwwms — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 12:11:07 GMT

I was refused. Been an excellent customer, have 4 active lines etc but first time in my life was refused?!

Re: Credit Checks

Oxonian — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:20:08 GMT

@Janwwms

If you addressing that comment to @mobilemandan, you need to tag him thus ! 👍

Re: Credit Checks

mobilemandan — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:52:32 GMT

When was this and what happened if you dont mind me asking. Cheers