Virgin Mobile - Credit Checks Intrusive Data Gathering

Just got off the phone to Virgin Mobile abruptly to an aggressive credit check!

I have been a Virgin Mobile customer for over 10 years and have a Post-Paid 12 month SIM only. Other family members have pre-paid services on my account, until they leave home…

All I wanted to do is change a Pre-Paid service for my 16yo to a Post-Paid 12 month SIM only contract. No phone.

After being advised to change both my remaining Pre-Paids, as Pre-Paids are closing soon - New news!

They started a credit check…
Paid off house, working in Gov full time job for or over 6 (previous job 17 years - yes over 50), paid off house etc etc. Then unlike other times drivers licence, and copies of…. I stopped.
Seems they don't have this info! Why do they need it now?

Asked to speak to a supervisor explaining again that I already just recently upgraded my post paid and this is just adding another SIM to my account. Also that I have been paying diligently for many many years and they can see that, but I still need to go through this process.
I refused to give my drivers licence and the supervisor basically said 'good bye'.

Looking at my options, while I serve my own remaining contract with Virgin.

For a simple 12 month plan ($24pm) how much personal data is reasonable these days?
Is this the new norm, or am I getting paranoid?

PS: My 16yo and wife both agreed I wasn't paranoid, but thinking of wider opinions.

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Comments

  • +4

    I believe that it's just been the norm to take the 100 point ID check, anything outside of that seems to be going too far but generally because you're adding a new service to your current account, they will still need to go through the 100 Point ID check.

  • +3

    "PS: My 16yo and wife"

    Didn't see the "and" there the first time I read the post….

    Anyways, post-paid means they're extending you credit. No one is entitled to credit. And a 100-pt ID check is routine, of course they need to verify you are who you are, since it's effectively a new credit application.

  • I thought credit checks needed just name, DOB, address and driver's licence?

    Copies of things are for KYC/ID/serviceability checks?

    • Fraud in telcos can be an issue. Best not to complain as it reduces the risk of someone fraudulently signing you up to contract terms and cranking up massive bills in your name. It happens. (Used to work in telco).

  • +1

    any reason why you dont want to give your driver licence?

    edit : i think any telco will require your driver licence if you sign up with them.

    • My interpretation is because he has been with them for over 10 years and recently dealt with them, he (incorrectly) feels like they shouldn't need any of this…

  • The need to cover themselves for proof that you are who you say you are. Also they need to ask questions about income as they cant be seen to be giving things to people who cant afford it. They ask everyone not just you.

    As far as im aware this has been like that for years

  • They are just following protocols for extending a line of credit,
    If you have a government job you should know about policies that are are a bit over the top. The Filipino call centre would just have a one size fits all list of procedures to follow. Your situation may have changed, job, debt, lost the house gambiling, etc
    There is plenty of people who misrepresent themselves.

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