Does AT&T run a credit check when upgrading to a new cell phone?
I’ve been a customer with AT&T for several years (cingulair before AT&T bought them). I need a new cell phone and my contract has been up for a year or more. Do they check credit if you are already a customer?
A credit check is ran when you first establish service with AT&T. It runs through all 3 credit bureaus initially. If you had a deposit in the beginning, that will be refunded after 12 months if you pay your bill on time every month & hold a good standing with AT&T. Any lines that you activate within that 12 months will require the same deposit. After 12 months, though, credit is only determined internally through your 12m history with AT&T. Credit is never ran for an upgrade. When signing a 2yr contract, you are eligible to upgrade your equipt & take advantage of the full discount rate after 21 months…sometimes less if you are a high revenue customer.
An upgrade extends your contract 2 yrs from the date you receive your new phone, there’s a one-time $18 upgrade fee applied to the next bill, but you get a new phone at the "new customer" pricing.
I know this is more information than you requested, but I just wanted to inform you of all the policies. 