Got a bad credit rating? Fear not, you can still get a decent SIM only deal, with numerous networks not running checks on a number of plans. Read on and we’ll reveal all.
SIM only deals with no credit check
The good news is that if you have a bad credit rating, you can take advantage of a SIM only deal without a credit check from a wide variety of providers.
The process is easy and you’ll still be able to get a plan that keeps costs down.
What is a bad credit SIM only contract?
In simple terms, a bad credit SIM only contract doesn’t require a customer to pass the standard credit check required for standard SIM only deals.
The only checks that will be undertaken are anti-fraud ones, the same as you’d go through when making any kind of purchase online.
Best of all, there’s no chance you’ll be rejected, meaning you can pick a deal safe in the knowledge that you’ll be able to get it activated on your phone.
The reason networks are able to offer such deals is because they’re time limited to just 30 days.
Such rolling contracts only require you to pay for the next month’s calls, texts and data, meaning there’s no chance of you using up an allowance you haven’t paid for, which can happen with 12 or 24 month deals.
These longer plans are not available on bad credit SIMs. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, as a 30 day plan means you can leave and change providers at any time.
The main benefit of these rolling SIM only deals is that they will not impact your credit score. Put simply, if you don’t pay for the following month’s allowance, you won’t be able to use your phone.
Which networks offer SIM only with no credit check?
A number of smaller, but excellent networks offer 30 day SIM only deals with no contract. These include:
- Giffgaff - The O2 backed network’s 30 day plans are legendary and won’t break the bank either. It does 5G too, so if you have a newer device that can connect to the latest network, then you’re in luck.
- iD Mobile - Part of Carphone Warehouse, iD Mobile has carved a niche as one of the UK’s most affordable and reliable networks. If you have a bad credit rating, then its 30 day deals are well worth a look.
- Smarty - Three-owned Smarty is a winner for bad credit SIMs. It has a great range of deals, starting as low as £3.50 a month and gives you money back for any unused data too.
- Lebara - Aimed at those who make lots of international calls, Lebara’s bad credit SIMs are ideal for anyone who has just got to the UK and doesn’t yet have a credit score.
How do bad credit SIMs work?
Bad credit SIMs work in much the same way as a standard SIM only deal.
Sign up and, as long as you have an unlocked smartphone, you can place the SIM into the device and use it right away to make calls, send texts and get online.
The key difference is that standard SIM only deals are available for 12 and 24 months. These tend to be cheaper as networks lock customers in for longer, meaning a 30 day deal is usually a little more expensive.
What do I need to do before taking out a deal?
Research is the name of the game. Use our price comparison tool to see what is available on a 30 day deal and check whether the network will run a credit check.
It’s best to consider data allowance first - most people use upwards of 3GB a month these days, so be sure to find a plan that offers enough so you don’t end up running out of data every month.
Remember, you only have to give 30 days’ notice to switch.
Is SIM only my only option?
Unfortunately, getting a new phone contract when you have a bad credit rating is virtually impossible.
The best option is to take out a SIM only plan and save towards buying a new phone outright. This won’t affect your credit score and will be cheaper in the long term.
Will a SIM only deal improve my credit rating?
Because 30 day SIM only deals are not strictly contracts, like longer 12 and 24 month plans, they don’t directly improve your credit rating.
However, paying by regular direct debit can help show lenders and banks that you are reliable and make a positive impact on your credit history.
