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SIM-only upgrade requires a full credit check?

JCafe404
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Hi 😊

 

I've been a SIM-only customer for many years and never got any phones with my upgrades (Because they're just overpriced, in my opinion).
So I couldn't be bothered to change my contract for the past 4 years or so and just kept it rolling until this week. And I thought you know what, let me check my stats and see if I actually would still need this current bundle (Unlimited Data). As it turns out, I never even come close to using 30GB a month, so I thought, let's downgrade to a cheaper option. (I have been paying £32.74; turns out I can save about £10 a month! )

Fast forward: clicked my upgrade message > chose the cheaper bundle > checkout and I got this message: 

You’re likely to pass a credit check
Based on the information we have, we think you’re likely to pass a credit check.
We’ll complete the full credit check when you checkout, which will be recorded as a ‘search’ on your credit file.

Why on earth are they running a credit check? I believe this makes complete sense with a brand new customer, loan/finance/upgrade with new phones etc. But a cheaper SIM-only deal? 🤔
I've been a loyal customer for years, never had any arrears, got a great credit score, and now I just need to accept a drop in my credit score because I want to downgrade and save money... Make it make sense 😢

All I want is to pay less, but to me, this feels like a loyal existing customer means nothing to O2, and they just want me to stay on the more expensive deal and avoid an adjustment to my credit score.

Any advice will be appreciated!

Many thanks in advance!

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JCafe404
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Yeah, I did think it was frustrating, there are some providers who don't require a credit check for a sim-only deal.
However, I prefer O2 due to the roaming options with Zone Bolt enabled, as work forces me to travel to the US a lot and they're the only provider who provides worldwide roaming as part of my existing tariff without extra fees on your O2 plan. (No roaming charges.)

I guess I'll just have to accept the "new" rules 😢

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JCafe404
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Thanks everyone for your responses, it's much appreciated 👍 I'll just go ahead and accept the consequences 😂 

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MI5
Level 94: Supreme
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Hopefully won't give you any issues @JCafe404 👍

I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues.
Please select the post that helped you best and mark as the solution. This helps other members in resolving their issues faster. Thank you.
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Neildelahay
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Am just about to upgrade the three lines I have with O2 sim only but this now is going to ruin my credit file as I have already 2 hard searches for mortgage and insurance. This seems a crazy idea for sim only. 

Message 14 of 16
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Enlli
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@Neildelahay I upgraded SIM only in March. It was a soft search and is not showing on my credit file

This is not O2 and we are all customers here similar to yourself and cannot answer account type queries.
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Neildelahay
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That’s great to know. Thank you.

Message 16 of 16
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