Hi everybody!

Please I need your helpful advice!!!

I have visited lots of storefronts that sell mobile phones, phone plans and accessories. Right before purchase the system requires SSN? Why is that for? To check customer's payment history etc or is that to check the real person the customer is or not? Moreover, what is the mechanism of checking the customer through the SSN? (I mean how is it done etc). Does anybody know?

HOW TO CHECK THE CREDIT STATUS?

Is there a service etc that provides access to credit status checking?

I would be very grateful for any kind of answer or advice or a link to docs!

Thank you

The SSN is checked for creditworthiness. Most cellular providers will charge you an activation fee if your credit history does not meed their standards. If it does, then they will issue you your phone/service, etc.

So if your company is a reseller for AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, etc. -- they need the SSN number because when they call their representative at AT&T, et. al. -- the rep. will want the SSN to check the credit history. Upon checking the rep. will let the reseller know if its okay to give the customer the service (and phone) without any down payment or not.

The "Big Three" consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian) are the ones that provide consumer credits reports to businesses.

You can find our about Experian's electronic verification services (http://www.experian.com/products/authentication_services.html) -- as I'm sure the other two have similar offerings for businesses.