Getting a cell phone can be an issue if you have bad credit since cell phone companies like to be sure that their clients are paying their bills; the common method of figuring this out is checking a person’s credit history. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get a cell phone, even with bad credit!
Unfortunately, you’ll need to realize that without good credit, you’ll need to accept some trade-offs for a cell phone. This could be a variety of concessions, from paying a higher deposit, getting a co-signer, or paying for higher talking rates.
It’s alright if you’re searching around for a suitable phone but feel skeptical on if a company will give you one. Luckily, there are plenty of phones that don’t even require a credit check. Go Phones, Prepaid Phones, or something similar are a great alternative for people without good credit, or those who don’t want to sign up for a monthly plan. My personal recommendation is Liberty Wireless. This reputable company offers prepaid, no credit check cell phone plans/cards.
Occasionally you’ll even find companies who will accept you for a cell phone plan taking into account bad credit, if you have a co-signer with a good credit rating willing to sign on with you. The concession here is that if you don’t meet a payment on time, your co-signer is needed to make that payment.
The last tactic for getting a cell phone on bad credit is paying a large deposit for the plan. Depending on where your credit actually stands, that deposit can be anywhere from 50 dollars all the way up to several hundred. It’s a good option if you can afford it.
