How to Get a Mobile Phone With Bad Credit
Cell phones have practically become an extension of our bodies — they're our phones, computers, cameras, watches, alarm clocks, game systems and more. But getting one can be difficult if you don't have credit.
Carriers want to avoid customers racking up huge bills and then not paying them. To this end, many major cell phone companies will check your credit to evaluate your financial responsibility and ability to pay each month.
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If you have bad credit or no credit history, you may have to jump through some extra hoops, but you can get a cell phone with no credit check.
1. Go with a prepaid carrier
Prepaid cell phone plans don't require a credit check. That's because you pay in advance for your service, usually on a monthly basis, so there's no risk for the cell phone provider. The four major carriers — Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile — offer prepaid plans, often for less than their traditional plans.
There are also carriers that offer only prepaid service, including Cricket Wireless and Boost Mobile, among others. These carriers offer cheap plans with no contract and no credit check. Many are owned by a larger carrier like AT&T and often operate on the same networks as the major carriers, yet manage to offer plans for a lower price.
Consider the plans listed below, which are monthly plans with unlimited minutes and text messages, unless otherwise noted. Any data included with the package is listed in parentheses. The table compares monthly plans only; it does not include pay-as-you-go plans, such as Tracfone airtime cards, which let you add more minutes or data as you need them.
One downside: Because there is no commitment with a prepaid plan, you can't pay for your phone in installments like you would with a traditional plan. The price can range from less than $1 to more than $500, depending on the phone you choose. But you may be able to avoid the upfront cost of a new phone by using your existing one.
2. Join a family plan
Most carriers offer family cell phone plans , and some let you have as many as 10 lines on one plan. Although the main account holder must pass a credit check to establish service, those using the additional lines do not. The main account holder is also the one ultimately responsible if you don't pay your bill, so take care not to miss any payments.
If you do join a family plan, you won't just bypass a credit check, you may also save some money. A single line on an unlimited plan costs $65 to $80 with a traditional carrier, but an unlimited family plan split four ways can run as low as $45 per person, before taxes, fees and autopay discounts.
3. Pay a security deposit
You can often get a cell phone plan with no credit history if you first pay a deposit. Deposit amounts will vary based on the carrier and your credit score, but they could run up to several hundreds of dollars. And deposits are generally per line, so if you want multiple phones on your account you will pay multiple deposits. Most carriers will refund your deposit after a year if you consistently pay your bill on time.
4. Find a co-signer
Similar to getting a personal loan with bad credit , you can often get a cell phone plan with bad or no credit if you have a co-signer with good credit. Unlike a personal loan, however, the account would be in the co-signer's name, meaning that person is on the hook if you don't pay your bill.
The co-signer can eventually move the account into your name. Most carriers will run your credit when you do so, but that doesn't mean you'll have to pay a deposit. With T-Mobile, for example, you can usually move the account into your name after 60 days. Although the carrier will check your credit, it won't require a deposit because the account is already open. Just keep in mind that each carrier handles this differently.
You have options
A prepaid plan is often your best bet if you want a cell phone plan but have no credit or bad credit. If the upfront expense of a phone is too much, though, try joining a family plan. That way you can share the plan cost while you work to build your credit enough so you can venture out on your own plan.
This post has been updated. It was originally published Dec. 22, 2014.
How to Get a Mobile Phone With Bad Credit
Source: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/utilities/get-cell-phone-plan-no-credit-check