I HATE THE WAY THEY USE CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING

dgtlsunshine Posted: Jun 04, 2003 12:39 PM

I HATE THE WAY THEY USE CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING

I am so upset right now. We are moving into our new home so I am calling to get the utilities turned on.

Well I have the electric, gas, water, sewer, phone, cable and trash.

Well whats gets me so upset is that I call the electric company and they said they want to run credit. I asked what if I prefer for them not to run my credit. The reps answer '300 deposit'

Then I call the water company. Same thing they want to check credit or I have to put a deposit.

I just got off the phone with the gas company and they do not even have the option. YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM YOUR SS#

What ****es me off is that by the end of the day I would of had my credit ran all those times

I just had to scream somewhere

Lisa Rose Posted: Jun 04, 2003 01:04 PM

Re: I HATE THE WAY THEY USE CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING

Hmm...that must be new...I do not remember the electric company telling me they had to run a credit check. That must be something new!!

I agree with you...companies run credit check too often for things that do not need to!!

Sonicstef Posted: Jun 04, 2003 01:10 PM

Re: I HATE THE WAY THEY USE CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING

This may be a stupid question - but why do you care if they check your credit? It doesnt cost you anything.

Marnles Posted: Jun 04, 2003 01:15 PM

Re: I HATE THE WAY THEY USE CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING

My MIL as well as a friend are in the mortgage business. They both said it is not good to have your credit checked that often (not sure of the reason, but it looks bad) - so I'm surprised they all want to do that...

Stacey1403 Posted: Jun 04, 2003 01:16 PM

Re: I HATE THE WAY THEY USE CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING

I agree they are just making sure you will pay your bills how else will they know?

dgtlsunshine Posted: Jun 04, 2003 01:17 PM

Re: I HATE THE WAY THEY USE CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING

Well it does cost me something. Its a bunch of inquiries on my report. I just feel it doesn't make any sense to look at my report and I have tons of inquiries and none of it is for things like I went out and applied for a credit card or something.

It lowers the credit score as well to have so many inquiries. I have just gotten real secretive with my SS# lately too b/c I witnessed how these companies just make their customer base info easy access.

Sonicstef Posted: Jun 04, 2003 01:35 PM

Re: I HATE THE WAY THEY USE CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING

Companies are constantly checking your credit without you even knowing it. (Thats where all those credit card offers in the mail come from).

I believe the credit rating agencies distinguish the difference between a credit inquiry from a utility company or some other firm that will not be effecting your total credit vs. a credit inquiry from new lines of credit.

Dont worry about it too much.

yabbobay Posted: Jun 04, 2003 01:56 PM

Re: I HATE THE WAY THEY USE CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING

do you blame the companies? they are not asking you to pay your bill up front...they are trusting that you will pay the bill...the only way to know that about a person...is to check the person's credit

DH had NO credit...not a credit card, etc...so we had to build him up...and that meant giving deposit to the utility companies - b/c he had no history of paying his bills...

as for inquiries...as stef said...its the inquiries of you trying to get a line of credit somewhere...not people looking at your credit score...