Credit checks by network: EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, iD Mobile and more

Which networks credit check, and which agency do they use?

Every major network we checked runs a credit check before it gives you a phone on a monthly plan. The phone part is a loan, which each network calls something different: a Device Plan (O2, Vodafone), a device credit agreement (EE's Flex Pay), a credit agreement (Sky) or a loan from a partner lender (giffgaff with Klarna, VOXI with PayPal Credit). Your calls, texts and data sit on a separate airtime plan.

MoneyHelper counts mobile phone providers as credit providers when you take a phone contract, but not when you are on pay as you go. The table shows what each network says on its own website. Where a network does not say, we have left it as not stated rather than guess.

Does Vodafone do a credit check, and can you appeal a decision?

Yes. Vodafone runs a credit check when you apply for a new pay monthly device or plan, when you upgrade an EVO Device Plan, and when you ask for a Flexi-upgrade before your minimum term ends. It uses Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, and the check leaves a search footprint on your credit file that other lenders may see.

Vodafone says it uses its own scoring system, separate from the agencies' scores. That means you can fail its check even if an agency gives you a high score. It also needs a UK bank account and a UK address. Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and the Overseas Territories do not count as the UK.

Sales advisers only see whether you passed or failed, not why. They can tell you if another plan is open to you, for example SIM only instead of a phone on a loan. Vodafone's Pay as you go Plus plans and pay as you go data-only SIMs need no credit check.

You can appeal using Vodafone's credit check appeal form. Vodafone says only a small number of appeals succeed, and it asks you to check your credit report with all three agencies before you apply.

Does iD Mobile do a credit check?

Yes. iD Mobile says an application for a pay monthly plan, handset or SIM only, will probably involve a credit check. It also says all applications for SIM only plans are credit checked. Its pay as you go plans need no credit check.

iD Mobile uses one agency, Equifax. The details you give at checkout go to Equifax, and its data feeds iD's automated decision system. Some applications go to iD's specialist credit checking team for review. If you have a question about the result, iD tells you to contact Equifax directly.

Does O2 do a credit check?

Yes. O2 describes its Device Plan as a loan agreement and says it will run a credit check when you buy a product on one. New customers join subject to status and a credit check. The Device Plan is separate from your Airtime Plan, which covers your calls, texts and data, and you can pay the Device Plan off early at any time.

The O2 help pages we checked do not say which agency O2 uses for a given application. Its privacy policy says a credit search is recorded by the agency and links to the TransUnion, Equifax and Experian information notices.

O2 lets you set a Spend Cap, including a £0 cap, which blocks chargeable use once you run out of allowance. That controls your bill. It does not change the credit decision.

Do EE and Three do a hard credit check?

Yes, both leave a search on your credit file. EE says it uses data from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and that the search from a contract application stays on your credit file for 12 months. Its privacy policy says it runs credit and fraud checks before providing a product or service, including upgrades and renewals. EE's Flex Pay, for phones bought with an EE plan, is a device credit agreement that is separate from your airtime plan. EE Finance, for other products, is a loan from Glow, which uses TransUnion data and tells you before it runs a hard check.

Three runs a credit check when you sign up for a Pay Monthly plan. It may use Experian, Equifax or TransUnion, and it says the search footprint may be seen by other lenders. Depending on the result, Three may ask for a deposit. You get it back after 6 bills paid on time if you bought directly from Three, or 12 if you bought through another retailer.

If Three's automated decision goes against you, you can ask for a person to review it. Email credit.checking@contact.three.co.uk or write to Three Credit Operations within 14 days of your application. Three also warns against submitting more orders after a failed check, because failed checks are noted on your account.

Do Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, giffgaff and BT Mobile credit check?

Tesco Mobile: yes. Its pay monthly terms say acceptance is subject to a successful credit check. Tesco may ask for a refundable deposit to get you the phone or tariff you chose. It holds the deposit for 120 days and refunds it after 120 days of successful bill payments. You can also cap your bill with a zero bill cap or a safety buffer of up to £100.

Sky Mobile: yes, for devices and accessories. Sky runs pre-sales checks each time you buy a SIM, phone, tablet, laptop or accessory, even if you have bought from Sky before. A device on a credit agreement gets a hard search, one per order, and Sky asks you to confirm you can afford the repayments for the full term. Sky's chosen agencies are Equifax and Experian.

giffgaff: only for phone loans. giffgaff says it runs no credit checks on plans or 18-month contract plans, or when you buy a phone outright. If you spread the cost of a phone, Klarna is the lender and runs a full, hard credit check with an affordability assessment.

BT Mobile: BT says you may need to pass a credit check when you order, and the check is recorded on your credit file. BT uses Equifax. If the result does not meet BT's criteria, it may ask for a deposit and refund it after six months.

How long does a network credit check take?

None of the networks we checked publishes a set time. Most decisions are automated. Vodafone, Three and iD Mobile all describe automated decision systems, and giffgaff says Klarna gives an instant decision.

Some applications take longer. iD Mobile sends some to its specialist credit team. Sky says your order might be referred for further checks and it will tell you straight away if that happens.

While you wait, do not place the same order again or apply to several networks at once. Each application can add another hard search, and MoneyHelper says lots of hard searches in a short time can make lenders see you as higher risk.

Do networks credit check you when you upgrade?

Often, yes, but it depends on the network and on how you upgrade. Vodafone checks when you upgrade an EVO Device Plan or take a Flexi-upgrade early. EE's privacy policy lists upgrades and renewals among the times it runs credit checks. Sky runs pre-sales checks on every purchase, including from existing customers.

O2 is different. It says you will be credit checked if you sign a new contract as part of an upgrade. But O2 Refresh customers can move to a new tariff with a new handset without a credit check, and O2 Switch Up customers do not need one to upgrade either.

If you only want to keep your phone and take a cheaper deal, a SIM only plan may be simpler. On Vodafone, Three and iD Mobile a pay monthly SIM only plan is still credit checked. SMARTY, Lebara and giffgaff plans are not.