Barack Obama iPhone application rejected

Posted in 'Credit Check' by Richard Catlin

12 February 2009

As the most powerful man in the world, that’s not a headline you’d expect to read and really, there’s little doubt that America’s new president would be able to secure a new mobile phone contract if he needed one.

Instead this story relates to Apple rejecting a new iPhone software application called ‘Obama Trampoline’, where the aim is to pop balloons by controlling caricatures of leading politicians. Apple took the decision not to allow the game to be sold in its online shop - but declined to give a specific reason.

For the rest of us, being turned down for a mobile phone contract is much more of a possibility, especially in the current economic climate.

Many people simply don’t realise that applying for a pay-monthly mobile contract will be subject to a credit check – in much the same way that a credit card or loan application is – and that a poor credit rating could see you having to opt for Pay As You Go instead.

Because your payment history on any other accounts you’ve held stay on your credit file for six years, any late payments against a previous mobile contract could be particularly damaging to your chances of getting a new one. Similarly, failure to register on the Electoral Roll won’t do you any favours.

So forewarned is forearmed – check your credit report online to make sure that everything looks ok and improve your chances of being accepted first time around. You’ll certainly want to, given some of the very impressive deals available on certain contracts at the moment, where you can also choose from a range of free gifts including an HP laptop, PS3, Wii or even £250 cashback.

The generous nature of these deals is one of the main reasons that the networks are so careful when deciding whether to accept an application – so make sure that you present yourself in the best possible light if you do apply. Check your own credit report online here.