<![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit - Consumerist Comments]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit - Consumerist Comments]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> I just got my hookup with AT&T and got the same letter. The (much nicer) CSR that answered my confused call explained that they send out three types of letters: (1) denied because of credit (2) limited because of okay credit (3) totally approved with perfect. You (and I) got the second letter which means they need $50 and credit card number to hold over you in case you do not return their equipment - Both of which you probably supplied when you ordered the service.

atkoester

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> STOP GIVING OUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS!! It's against the law for a business to deny you performance or service for non disclosure of you SSN unless the law *specifically* exempts them. *THERE IS NO LAW THAT SAYS ANYONE MUST HAVE A SSN* So why do you empower these idiots to do this to you? Dont give them your SSN. If they baulk just tell them you'll be happy to give them a deposit which you expect to be credited to your account after 6 months in good standing.

guymandude

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> This makes me wonder about all those people buying iphones tomorrow and then activating later with itunes. What happens if they have lousy credit and don't qualify for a post-paid account?

weave

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> I don't understand why the letter says to call if no one can help the OP.

/sarcasm

If I need a supervisor, I have had success with, "I'd like to let your supervisor know what a good job you did helping me; could you transfer me?" It hasn't failed yet.

RebekahSue

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> "Jim tried to talk to a supervisor but the CSR hung up on him."
Um...after reading the letter, it sounds like the automated system hung up on him, not the CSR. The way this is phrased makes it sound like the CSR disconnected on purpose.

CSR

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> @jferg: "Apparently, any company who uses a credit report to determine your "worthiness" and doesn't give you the absolute highest rating (or lowest price) for their products and services as a result of your credit report is required to send out a letter of this sort, as notification that you're not perfect.

This actually sounds like it might be the answer. I will buy this, it sounds appropriately lawyer-ly.

PLUS: I hadn't thought about it until your post but I had your same AmFam experience with our Allstate policy not long ago. I had forgotten.

So yes, this must be SOP now.

To update, the installer is at the house and my wife has fresh batteries in the camera, wish us luck!

Jim

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> The credit check is likely for PPV purchases. Most MSOs have limits on how many movies you can rent in a month, since you have to pay for it at the end of the month. This limit can be $50, $100, etc.

I also got a similar letter from Sprint a few years back. It didn't have any effect on the service I got.

sumkins

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> Holy crap! I just ordered UVerse online after 8 attempts. Apparently, according to the UVerse tech support, the UVerse site doesn't like Firefox. So using IE7, I tried 3 times. I finally got it scheduled for 7/2/07. My credit is okay (one medical debt collection). I wonder if they'll have enough time to send me this letter. I'll wait and find out.

aparker81

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> I recently got a similar letter from American Family regarding my car insurance; it basically said "as part of our annual rate review, we checked your credit report, and are unable to offer you our best possible rate due to something on your credit report". This triggered me to get my free yearly credit report, which I'd been intending to do anyway, and there was absolutely nothing negative on it. So I waited another few days, until my AmFam bill arrived, and lo! and behold, my insurance rate was exactly the same as it had been the previous billing cycle. Apparently, any company who uses a credit report to determine your "worthiness" and doesn't give you the absolute highest rating (or lowest price) for their products and services as a result of your credit report is required to send out a letter of this sort, as notification that you're not perfect. (Or that they screw everybody.) Just look at it as a friendly reminder of that, and as long as your report is clean and your score is high, toss it in the trash. (Or use it to get another free credit report.)

jferg

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> Look at it on the bright side: Now you can get a free credit report from Equifax!

Tallanvor

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> @badgeman46: Thanks, now I'm REALLY scared. At least I will have more than 7 channels tonight to help me forget.

Jim

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> There really needs to be credit reporting reform! Seems to me every time I want to purchase something, they run a credit check. I'd much rather just pay cash or not use the service or goods then have my score dinged. This happened last time I moved when all the utilities, comcast, verizonwireless, and Geico, all ran my report at once. Dropped it by 50 points.
Based on this, we are living in End Times officially!!!! Credit Reporting companies are the Antichrist! I shall enlighten you...

"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six" Revelations 13:18
There are three credit reporting companies, with three scores, and most monitoring services send you a report every six months. Also 600 seems to be a threshold of an average score! Next compelling evidence....

"Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17: so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name" Revelations 13:16
Obviously these days its nearly impossible to buy any sort of service without a credit check, and those who have no credit are often denied service, as is the subject of this post. Remember, only those who reject the Beast will be saved! Ditch the cable! Ditch the cell phone! Pay cash!


badgeman46

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> "He tries to transfer me to a supervisor and I wait on hold for 5 minutes before an automated voice says "Thank you for calling. Goodbye." and I am disconnected."

OMG! That is totally what SBC's phone system used to do when I called with problems several years ago! Then again isn't SBC now AT&T?

timmus

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> Ex-Employee here again...

The CSR was right, no need to worry....I'd say 95% of people get that letter. It doesn't mean that you have bad credit. It means that AT&T is going to limit what you can purchase in some way. Especially with HN, DVR, and such equipment, customers can have a high value of equipment in their home. They might only be limiting is saying you can't have more thatn $500 dollars worth of equipment at a time. Not a big deal.

Also something to keep in mind is that AT&T doesn't only check you credit score. They also have a utility database they check. So you may have a really good credit score...but if you pay your phone bill late...they care about that almost more than the credit score.

Hope this info helps.

Naomi

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> So if your credit is approved, you get a letter saying you were declined because of your credit. But if your credit is DECLINED, you get NO letter? I really think AT&T's customer notice department shouldn't be allowed to snort lines off the crotch of a dead zebra while performing lewd acts with a bowling ball while they try to write these damned things.

Thrust

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> @Doc Benway: When I first had Geico, I got the same letter, and then again when I switched to USAA Auto Insurance - these letters basically said "By the way, we checked your credit, and it COULD affect your rate."

Like the Consumerist likes to recommend, I'd call some PR people - your CSRs can't do anything about this letter, but maybe if you let the Public Relations office of AT&T know that either 1) the CSRs are doing something wrong or 2) the company is needlessly scaring the crap out of good, honest citizens, they'll actually do something about it.

@ Jim: I like the way you told the CSR "I'm not complaining about you" - that's not a bad idea!

jaredharley

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> Did the bottom of the letter really say XOXO? It sounds to me like some sort of phishing scam, one where the scammers haven't worked out the kinks yet. When you called, did you call the number listed on the letter, or the number on AT&T's website?

B

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> Judging on yesterday's post concerning credit, your car loan may very well have dropped your score, however it may just be a simple mistake. When I worked for T-Mobile, there were times dealers would choose the wrong version of a plan, and on activation you would get the right version but would trigger an automatic rejection letter for the wrong plan. It was confusing but meant nothing.

banned

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> It sounds like its a generic letter that's just poorly written. It probably is technically correct, as I'm sure there are some products they offer that they would decline you on.

The CSR was just lazy, like most of them. If you bring to their attention a problem that isn't on their computer screen, they just don't want to help you. The supervisor is in his office talking on his cellphone and would probably get pretty mad if his CSR asked him to take your call.

I get great customer service from the companies I deal with because I avoid talking to them at all costs. If I actually have to talk to any of them without the intention of buying something, their level of service goes downhill quick.

beyond

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> What is U-Verse?

I would wonder if anyone else has recieved the same letter.

I have had the same issues speaking with off-shored call-center resources. Sometimes the subtle language issues can really tie up a conversation.

joeblevins

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> I'd like to know if he authorized AT&T to do a credit check. That's what scares me. Perhaps it was a soft (is that the right word?) inquiry that only you can see?

voltronguy

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T: Don't Worry, We Reject Everyone On The Basis Of Their Credit]]> I got the same type letter from GEICO and it freaked me out. It basically said I didn't get as good a rate as I should have partially due to my credit score. I know my FICO is in the mid-700s and when I called them, they gave me the same lame excuse.

Doc Benway

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