Those with bad credit or no credit who attempt to get a traditional cell phone plan will often find they are required to place hundreds of dollars on deposit. But there are options for people who want to get a good cell phone and service without a credit check, either prepaid telephones or monthly payment plans.
Prepaid Minutes
Prepaid cell phones are common for those who use few minutes and do not want a credit check or monthly payments. A set amount of minutes is paid for and expire within a set period of time.
Monthly Without Credit Check
Some companies allow those who use a lot of minutes but don't want a credit check to pay an advance month, then select a calling plan. If the monthly bill is not paid, the service is disconnected.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile allows customers to buy a set number of minutes upfront through a prepaid plan or select one of its monthly cell phone plans but pay a month in advance. No credit checks are required and the fees after phone purchase started at about $40 as of August 2009.
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile offers an unlimited calling and unlimited texting plan without requiring a credit check. Phones usually cost up to $60 and monthly fees were around $50 as of August 2009.
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile allows customers to buy prepaid minutes (the amount can be as low as $10) or select one of several monthly pay-in-advance calling plans. As of August 2009, monthly rates ranged from $30 to $50.
Tags: August 2009, cell phone, allows customers, Boost Mobile, credit check, credit check
