Want a GoPhone iPhone? Try all nines
A prepaid iPhone sounds like a great idea in theory, if for no other reason than the fact that "prepaid" sounds like "no contract" if you listen really carefully. Indeed, AT&T's offering iPhones on its GoPhone prepaid service, but if -- and only if -- the buyer first fails a credit check. Who the heck has ever heard of bad credit being a prerequisite for an awesome option? Anyway, we're hearing reports that a Social Security number of 999-99-9999 will automatically fail the credit check and hook you up with the GoPhone option. We'd try it ourselves, but we're plumb out of unactivated iPhones -- so do let us know what happens if you try it, k?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SSNPGuerrilla @ Jul 2nd 2007 9:36AM
This strategy won't work. I know for sure it wont work in a Telegence market, and it probably wouldn't work in CARE markets either. If you type in a SSN wrong during the credit check, it just sends the application to analyst review. Then a rep has to call in and verify the correct SSN before a deposit is returned. Only then will it offer to pay a deposit or do a Go Phone "Pick Your Plan." Unless you have really crappy credit (but somehow can afford an iPhone), you will not be able to set it up on prepaid.
carlo @ Jul 2nd 2007 9:47AM
Fraud, misrepresentation--unless there's no checkbox that says "I certify that the foregoing information, to the best of my knowledge, is correct," it sounds like you're committing a massive crime--WITH YOUR NAME ATTACHED.
Be Careful!
Tiffany @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:25PM
Violation of contract does not equal "massive crime". I love how people just make things up when they are not acquainted with the actual law.
carlo @ Jul 2nd 2007 8:00PM
Fraud's pretty massive last I checked. And there's federal criminal issue involved since you're using the internet to commit the crime...
Go re-apply your lipgloss and learn some more from Paris Hilton, "Tiff'" and let the adults converse without your childish interruptions.
Tiffany @ Jul 2nd 2007 10:11PM
Carlo, you clearly do not understand the difference between CRIMINAL law, which is what you claimed in your post, and CIVIL law. Lying to Ma Bell violates no CRIMINAL law. At most it will void a contract. But since the whole point of this technique is to avoid the contract in the first place, that's not much of a deterrent. Maybe you should read up a little on the subject before you make such broad proclamations. Oh and your little quip about lip-gloss is just a sexist attempt to cover up your own stupidity. Try to stop posting when drunk next time, mmm kay?
Flippy @ Jul 2nd 2007 9:53AM
Wont failing the credit check go on your permanant credit record?
technicaldiva @ Jul 2nd 2007 10:45AM
If you use a fake SSN how will it get on your record?!?!
PynkFloydd @ Jul 2nd 2007 11:31AM
...you're not taking a test, they're just looking at your established record to prove your credit worthiness. When I worked in finance (before the newer privacy laws), we'd take all zeroes in a requested credit check and TransUnion (one of three credit bureau agencies) would fill out the correct social security number. They'd just match your address, name and phone number to your records. I'm not sure exactly what happens now since credit fraud has become such a huge issue. It might do the same and they just call to verify...
Graffitimonkie @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:06PM
Well failing the credit check would mean your credits already bad that you can't secure a cell phone contract when there are so many people out there who live under the poverty level and still have a cell phone...
technicaldiva @ Jul 2nd 2007 10:45AM
You also want to remember that on a GoPhone plan, you are going to be missing out on some iPhone features. Do you really think you are going to get the same service as a customer with a contract on a Pre-Paid plan? There are no pre-paid smartphone/pda plans.
carlo @ Jul 2nd 2007 10:50AM
What services will pre-paid be missing out on? They get unlimited data and the phone is unlocked as usual...
tired-of-apple-fanboys @ Jul 2nd 2007 8:56PM
@carlo so you think they will REALLY be unlocking that iPhone for you *slaps iForehead*. I suspect al you will get is a smaller monthly bill on a limited package to best fit your credit score! It will not be your run-of-the-mill GoPhone no doubt!
carlos @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:41PM
I have my iPhone setup as pre-paid. Everything works.
Jessie @ Jul 2nd 2007 12:36PM
What if you're already set up with Go Phone service???
Lucas C @ Jul 2nd 2007 6:10PM
It seems like a AT&T could be forced to offer both plans to anyone regardless of credit. What possible justification could they have for refusing someone a prepaid plan if they're willing to give it to someone else? Any pettifoggers in the house?
barry egan @ Jul 2nd 2007 6:57PM
We got it set up as go phone. It is actually a really great setup; you get the $20 data unlimited, and you pay go phone rates for airtime. For txt we had to add a small package to avoid $0.15 per message out of our balance. The only downside is you have less airtime for your dollar, and a limit on your night and weekends, and only the $90 plan has unlimited mobile to mobile. We don't do a lot of calling just the text and data so it was perfect with no contract.
We "qualified" officially though, so I can't help you know if the SSN trick will work. But, having worked in activations/sales for a few companies, I do know that you have the legal option to not consent to your SSN being used in the process of your credit being run for service.
Brandon Cassatt @ Jul 2nd 2007 7:11PM
how do you activate pre paid service? I work for another carrier and dont want a contract? But want to play with the cool features and love Apple products.
BIG RED @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:34PM
Work for Big Red in the NW as an ASM?
Don't include your full name next time.
elgee02 @ Jul 2nd 2007 6:29PM
Hahaha, that wasn't very smart dude.
How's business in Coeur D' Alene, Idaho treating you? ;-)
Robbie @ Jul 3rd 2007 2:26AM
who cares? so he wants an iphone. he cant help it att has the exclusive. im sure there are ibm employees who have iphones too.
it would be different if his company carried the iphone too.
BM777 @ Jul 2nd 2007 7:23PM
LOL oops, totally didn't catch that one! to funny. Oh well, gotta admit the device is awesome!
AirStrike X2 @ Jul 2nd 2007 9:02PM
OK emm.. so if you say that you don't have a SSN so that they don't run any checkups on you.. will that trick work?
If, even if we DO get the GoPhone iPhone, will you be able to switch to AT&T contract later on with your SSN and credit card?
Alex Strickland @ Jul 2nd 2007 10:39PM
Does anyone know the charge break down for the prepaid data. At&t says that they dont offer a data plan on prepaid and that it is only a glitch that will be corrected very soon. They said that prepaid will only work as a phone and will not have internet capabilities. Does anyone know what im talking about? I only want to use the iphone for data since i have Verizon for voice. Also they said that the Wi-Fi will be disabled once the prepaid contract is put on the phone. However this doesnt seem true to me at all. I dont want to pay the $39.99 a month fee for voice if I am not going to use it. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get a data plan only on the phone or how to get data service on prepaid?
Chris Medeiros @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:11AM
What if my 10 year old son tries with his SS#? I'm guessing that will either trigger a deposit or just reject the application altogether.
derX @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:30PM
I'm sorry, I am a little confused. Why would you (or your son) consider doing it with his SSN?
Michael Sicilia @ Jul 11th 2007 12:00PM
I tried activating my iphone and it gave me a credit check error. So I was "forced" to activate GoPhone (which by the way, SUCKS!) I've had the phone since the 7/1 and i've had to re-up (71.95) twice. There's no option for more text messages, and I hate AT&T for this.
Anyway, back to the point of this message, the reason I failed the credit check it becuase i have a FRAUD ALERT on all 3 credit buerau's. This gave me the option to 1. Try Activation again from the beginning. 2. Go into an AT&T store and have them run the credit check. Or finally 3. Activate this phone with AT&T GoPhone pay as you go service. If anyone wants a i-Go-Phone, then get a fraud alert, uses your REAL SSN#, and have fun paying way to much for service. ;)
Jessica Mah @ Jul 18th 2007 3:08PM
Hi guys, I was able to activate the iphone with all 9s! I spent many many hours, but finally got it up on the gophone plan. They do an instant check to make sure you have good credit, but if you type in all 9s for your social security check, you'll obviously fail the check. You'll then be presented with the options to go with gophone.
Many people ask if you could convert to contract plan in the future. Yes, you can. But the real question is, why? You're saving some money at the very least by not going on contract. What if a new Google Phone comes out on Verizon and you want to jump ship from apple/at&t? All are good reasons to go with the gophone.
I spent 12.5 hours of my time onphone and offline trying to get this to work, but an Apple Genius finally sat down with me and helped me out. Kudos to Nic at the Apple Store in Emeryville!
I had a long and painful process mainly beceause of the porting issue. If you try to port in a phone number (regardless of on contract or gophone) you
re going to run into problems. I did a writeup on my blog for anybody going through the same dilemma: http://jessicamah.com/blog/?p=126
If anybody needs help, just email me and I'll be happy to give you some helpful tips.
mikep17 @ Jul 25th 2007 3:27PM
What if you want to stop using the prepaid what do you do ? Say you stop doing the prepaid will all of the features still work ? From what i read ATT charges you every month regardless how many minutes you use. So how would you stop the automatic billing if you do not what to do that anymore ? Sorry for all the questions but I'm really interested in this
olsonick @ Mar 4th 2008 3:48PM
For Alex: I would say, because I'm sort of anti-iphone (but can't help but be curious anyway) that a data plan through verizon and use of one of those aircard things for a laptop would be a more practical solution. Verizon has far better data capabilities anyway, and since you have a voice plan through them they should cut you a less-than-crappy deal on a data plan.
about iPhone: I'm not sure where apple is headed with this device. I mean, their target audience is iPod users who want their device to do more, right? iPods already cost far too much (especially with the less-than-glamorous software). So when we're jacking the cost up another 200-or so bucks for a truly ingenious device, they lose a large portion of their already-empty-pocketed audience.
I haven't done a WHOLE bunch of research as to where apple is going with other networks, but I think we are all looking forward to the fiscal quarter when this gizmo sheds $80 of its cost and is networkable to verizon.