why I can't complete account ownership transfer

[Lily1307]

My sister and I went to a Fido store to set up a phone number for me. However, the account was registered under her name, so she receives the bills each month, and I pay through her. We would like to update the account so that I become the account holder. I’ve contacted Fido several times to make this change. One representative told me I needed to provide my SIN, which I did. Another asked for my ID number, which I also got. Later, someone else requested a credit card number — and I provided that as well.

Despite meeting all these requests, I was told that I still can’t take over the account because I’m an international student and my documents are considered temporary. I don’t understand why this is preventing the change. I really want to get this resolved as soon as possible. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to meet your requirements, but nothing has worked so far.

[Cawtau]

Hello Lily1307,

Welcome to the community!

  Firstly, you should note these forums are community-driven and not intended as a venue for customer services. We do not have access to customers' accounts nor would we be in any position to address your matter.

  I don't know your situation. However, one of the criteria for opening an account for post-paid services would be a review of your credit history. I understand you are interested in a transfer of responsibility (ToR), however, that process requires you to open your own account. If you are an International student, it's possible your Canadian credit might not be sufficient to open an account for post-paid services.

  I understand it might not seem fair if you have the means to pay for monthly post-paid services. However, their credit operations department would only have your Canadian credit history to consider. I faced a similar issue when I lived in Ireland. My Canadian credit history was good, yet my credit history in Ireland at the time was non-existant. No mobile provider was willing to provide me with post-paid services. I was forced to obtain pre-paid services...

  I also understand you have provided all of the requested documentation. I am also aware Fido has offered security deposits and credit limiting for other customers with little credit history. For whatever reason, it seems as though the credit operations department denied your request to open an account. Unfortunately, that would be at their discretion. I don't think customer service would be able to provide an answer either.

  If you would like to discuss your issue, you would likely need to contact their Credit Operations team (see here).

Hope this helps 😀

Cheers

[Lily1307]

Thank you for your sharing. However, I’d like to clarify that I never provided a credit card or authorized a credit check, so I don’t believe it’s reasonable to say my credit is insufficient based on that

[Cawtau]

Hello again,

  Apologies, I meant to say it's possible your Canadian credit history might not be sufficient to open an account for post-paid services. I didn't mean to imply that your credit was not sufficient. As a student from abroad, your credit history in Canada would be limited.

  All they need to check someone's credit history is name, address, and Social Insurance Number (SIN), which you said you provided.

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@Lily1307 wrote:

...I’d like to clarify that I never provided a credit card ....

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  Fair enough, though:

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@Lily1307 wrote:

... Later, someone else requested a credit card number — and I provided that as well...

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 It's also fair enough if you didn't authorise a credit check. However, that could have been a reason to deny opening the post-paid account for you. They often need to perform a credit check in order to open post-paid accounts (see here, here, here, here, etc). That's why most pre-paid providers advertise No credit checks required. To be clear, I'm not making any judgments regarding your credit, only that a credit check is generally required.

  As mentioned, we do not know your situation. If you wanted to discuss your matter you would likely need to contact their credit operations department.

Cheers