Can you get a cell phone without a credit card (and with bad credit)?

[Momtwice]

Some kind of prepaid deal maybe?

[raelize]

we don't have a cc, and we have cell phones. they do want a credit check, but you don't need a cc to get one.

[buttercups.nest]

You can get credit cards that are kind of like a gift card....you put money on them and then spend it rather than getting the credit. I know that wasn't your question but maybe it can help anyway

[Momtwice]

Unfortunately my credit is awful.

[bluets]

can you buy a used phone on ebay and then get a prepaid card for it?

[EricaE]

I have Cricket, and they didn't require a credit card or a credit check. I've been with them for about a year and half, and I've never had any problems with service at all. I pay $49 a month for unlimited calls, texts, and web.

[Drummer's Wife]

You can get a prepaid phone for sure (my DD had one - it was $15 for the phone, and we paid for minutes when she ran out).

Otherwise, yes, even with crappy credit you can get approved. I don't have credit cards, and definitely don't have good credit... and I got an iphone in my name. I was surprised that they didn't require a deposit (but that's an option, if you truly get denied). I'd google it to see if there are some companies that are more lenient with regards to good credit.

Anyone can get a cell phone these days (contract or pre-paid).

[zebra15]

I use Virgin mobile - purchased the phone at Target about $20.00 and full unlimited talk is $50/month.... no contract, I used my debit card and have it billed there everymonth. I never had a problem with them and its very easy to set up.

[mum4boys]

We have Kroger's cell phones as in the grocery store. It actually uses Sprints lines. We pay $50 a month of unlimited talk and text. For every $100 we spend at the store we get $10 off our bill. We buy all our gas at the grocery store and our WIC also so our cell phone bill runs about $20 a month. Oh ya we use prepaid cards that we buy at the store that also counts towards the $100 purchase. You can check them out at https://www.iwirelesshome.com/

[Auntie Sapphire]

In my area, Boost Mobile and Metro PCS are cell phone providers who cater to customers with bad credit or who don't want to sign a contract.

[rhiOrion]

I know T Mobile has a plan where you add money to your account sort of like a pre-paid phone.

Basically, we get a certain number of minutes per month. We can add texting/web/whatever if we want. But if we go above and beyond anything we paid for, then we have to have money in our flex account.

I do think part of the deal is that it has to be auto-drafted, and you pay for the plan before the month, instead of after the month (but you can add flex minutes any time). maybe it can be done from a debit card?

We actually got it just because it was cheaper and we know we don't go over our minutes anyhow. But my friend who works for them said that it's the plan that people with no/bad credit get.

[leavemealone]

There are lots of prepaid plans that are available. Someone else mentioned the Kroger one, but other stores have them as well. Depending on your carrier, you can buy cards at stores such as Kroger (or other grocery stores), CVS, Walgreens, etc at the cashier or on the rack with all the other gift cards.

[AndrewsMother]

Try Credo Mobile. I do not know this for a fact, but I was told that they have relaxed approval guidelines. The company is socially conscious, and part of yoru bill goes to support charities and organizations.

We had service with Credo until we went cell phone free.

[cwat]

Do you have a Pocket Wireless in your area?
I have a phone from them, and it costs $35 a month, no credit check or credit card needed.

Just a thought...

[TEAK's Mom]

We almost never use our cell phone, so the prepaid Tracphone works pretty well. If you do a lot of texting, though, I would try another prepaid. Tracphone charges kind of a lot for texts.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by zebra15

I use Virgin mobile - purchased the phone at Target about $20.00 and full unlimited talk is $50/month.... no contract, I used my debit card and have it billed there everymonth. I never had a problem with them and its very easy to set up.

I have the same plan, you can also buy "top up" cards at the store and use those to pay the bill. There are at least 5 companies that offer prepaid phones which don't need a credit check. Just go to your local big box store (target/walmart) and see what they offer for your area.

[LeahBoo]

I really like net10. You buy the phone for $30 (might be $40 now), and get 300 minutes free. Then after that, you buy cards for the amount of time you need. Always 10 cents a minute. So a $30 card gives you 300 minutes, $60 card 600 minutes. For every 300 minutes you get 60 days.

Texts cost half a minute.

[*Erin*]

try it, they'll probably give you one. the cells we use are regular, 2 yr plan ones, with alltel(now verizon) and i have terrible credit and no income, (my dh works, i am at home, and i listed only my "$0" income) and they gave them to me with no deposit.

[Jaesun's Dad]

I got an iPhone and I haven't had a credit card for most of this century and my credit wasn't the greatest several years ago (part of why I no longer use CCs) I don't have any idea what my credit score looks like right now ... since I'm not looking for credit ... but they let me have an iPhone :-)

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by Satori

I have the same plan, you can also buy "top up" cards at the store and use those to pay the bill. There are at least 5 companies that offer prepaid phones which don't need a credit check. Just go to your local big box store (target/walmart) and see what they offer for your area.

I may look into 'top up' cards... the debit card to pay has been working fine but having things going auto draft to my account always makes me a bit fearful... even when I know the date and the amount... ya know...