Can't get T-Mobile b/c of good credit

[tdoyon]

To prevent identity theft (which is very likely given the frequent theft or "misdelivery" of mail in my neighborhood), I put a hold or whatever its called on my credit with each of the three major credit bureaus. Since doing that I've gotten two credit cards, no problem. Apparently that isn't good enough for T-Mobile, who claims I don't have a valid telephone number with "the" credit bureau (they didn't tell me who they use). T-Mobile isn't rejecting me per se, they just want me to fax them more information than I needed to buy my house and I don't want a cell phone that badly.

I had a very valid telephone number for two credit card companies - and I was calling T-Mobile from one of those numbers. I digress...

Is there a cell phone company in the Houston area with good NW coverage capable of doing a proper credit check for someone with a good credit rating? Or have I been branded for life as a bad risk for daring to prevent identity theft?

[roamer1]

I have a "statement" on my Trans Union report (only, because TU, unlike Equifax and Experian, kept mixing up my and other people's accounts) and T-Mo just asked me to visit a company store (one's practically across the street from my apartment) and show photo ID. For a fraud alert they really shouldn't ask for much else (and more than likely, you will experience this sort of thing with ALL cell phone companies, not just T-Mo.)

-SC

[tdoyon]

The story I posted is the very short version. The first thing T-Mobile's telephone customer service rep told me to do was to go to a store and tell the salesperson to call "internal credit." There's only one T-Mobile store nearby and the salesman there refused to do anything unless I bought a phone from *him*. I then drove back to the office, called T-Mobile, and got the creative story about the credit bureau and having to fax tons of documents to them. I would like to think that not all cell phone companies are as sleazy as T-Mobile.

[GSMFan]

I wouldn't get to upset, after all, they are taking these precautions for your consumer protection. There is nothing Sleazy about it. Especially when you signed up for the identity theft protection.

[tdoyon]

Uh okay. I didn't realize being forced to pay for 2 T-Mobile service plans and 2 cell phones, when I only needed and wanted 1 of each, was for my own protection.

Perhaps giving up my crappy Sprint PCS service of 4 years last week before getting another service provider was a good idea - if they are all this honest I'm much better off living without a cell phone again.

[Why]

This policy has been altered to be a bit quicker and easier in these types of situations. When you activate service, someone from credit will ask the store if they can talk to you directly. The rep will then ask various questions to verify your identity. After providing the correct responses, you should be able to get approval without having to wait on manual verification of official documents. It's designed to be a "fax-free" experience. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]