[Paper1]

The bill for my Xfinity package for TV, internet, and landline phone has become obscene. After doing a little homework I decided to try the T-Mobile 5G internet. Went to their store in Burnsed and signed up. They had my information except for payment method. Early in making out paperwork they asked for last 4 of my social security number which I gave them. He brought out the equipment and then asked for the first 5 numbers of my Social Security number. I told him I didn't give that to anyone unless they were hiring me. I was told I could not sign up for their service without giving them the entire number. We said goodbye at that point. Am I to believe customers in The Villages turned over that information to do business with T-Mobile? If so I understand why scammers like us.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Paper1

The bill for my Xfinity package for TV, internet, and landline phone has become obscene. After doing a little homework I decided to try the T-Mobile 5G internet. Went to their store in Burnsed and signed up. They had my information except for payment method. Early in making out paperwork they asked for last 4 of my social security number which I gave them. He brought out the equipment and then asked for the first 5 numbers of my Social Security number. I told him I didn't give that to anyone unless they were hiring me. I was told I could not sign up for their service without giving them the entire number. We said goodbye at that point. Am I to believe customers in The Villages turned over that information to do business with T-Mobile? If so I understand why scammers like us.

Is a SSN required to run a credit check? I know cell companies do that before when signing up new customers.

[retiredguy123]

Yes, T-Mobile requires an SSN so they can do a credit check.

[Keefelane66]

“ It is normal for companies that provide internet, cable or phone service to ask for a prospective customer's Social Security number so they can run a credit check. They are, in a way, extending credit to you, in the form of service that you haven't yet paid for.”

[Paper1]

Thank you for replies. It seems I'm in the minority for refusing to give out my SS number but I'm good with that.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Paper1

Thank you for replies. It seems I'm in the minority for refusing to give out my SS number but I'm good with that.

It's all about what you are willing to do without.

If I don't want to turn over some kind of funds then I won't have a beer at the square tonight.

If I don't want to turn over bank account information then I won't use Zelle or certain features of Venmo.

If I don't want to show my driver's license then I won't be purchasing alcohol in some stores or states.

If you don't want to give your SSN then you won't get most mobile phones or plans (or a new car or a new home or DirectTV or anything else that requires a credit check).

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by Paper1

Thank you for replies. It seems I'm in the minority for refusing to give out my SS number but I'm good with that.

To bad they didn't explain why they needed your S/S.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Paper1

Thank you for replies. It seems I'm in the minority for refusing to give out my SS number but I'm good with that.

We went with Spectrum, after 20 years with Comcast. No SS# required. Zero problems, no buffering. We have T-Moble cell, and have never had to give them info, maybe it was before they requested it

[Stu from NYC]

T mobile requires it. Their way or the highway as they say.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by asianthree

We went with Spectrum, after 20 years with Comcast. No SS# required. Zero problems, no buffering. We have T-Moble cell, and have never had to give them info, maybe it was before they requested it

Is your spectrum service DSL, coaxial, or fiber optic cable? We are looking to add internet service and spectrum only offers DSL where we live and I don’t want service that buffers.

[Brighthouse]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Is your spectrum service DSL, coaxial, or fiber optic cable? We are looking to add internet service and spectrum only offers DSL where we live and I don’t want service that buffers.

Spectrum is Coaxial everywhere that its available. New customers can get 300mbps for 19.99 for 2yrs with no contracts. For more information give Lysander Jimenez a call 352-239-3538. He is one of the local sales rep for The Villages.

[Biker Dog]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Is a SSN required to run a credit check? I know cell companies do that before when signing up new customers.

We had the same problem. I let them pull my Eqifax report that showed my 822 credit score. They said they needed to pull the other 2 reports. I refused and left. Since then every week I get a letter in the mail telling me to take my driver's license to the store to complete my application. So I did and they still needed the other 2 reports. I left and will not go back.

[Fernsklar]

Don’t waste your time with T-Mobile. We had a two week free trial and it bombed. The service coverage for cable was very spotty.

[dodaneodwyer]

Originally Posted by Paper1

Thank you for replies. It seems I'm in the minority for refusing to give out my SS number but I'm good with that.

I never give out my SS number.

I use Spectrum for my internet service. I don’t have a landline phone. I dropped cable years ago and use the Amazon Firestick to access streaming services. I select what I want to watch and add or drop what I want to watch each month.

Total for all of the above averaged less than $125 per month

[Raywatkins]

Like you we felt that Xfinity had become far too expensive. After a bit of research we felt the way to go was streaming. Went into the Xfinity store and told them we intended to leave.
They asked to see what they could do.
Long story short - bill cut by $80 per month and internet speed increased from 300mbs to 1 gb. If we had stayed with 300mb we would have saved over $100 per month.
Always worth asking.
And yes we got all the same channels and premium ones we already had.