Is your mobile number for sale?

Posted in 'Credit Reports' by Richard Catlin

17 June 2009

A controversial new service goes live this week that allows anyone to look up the mobile phone numbers of people they don’t necessarily know.

An estimated 40% of all UK mobile numbers are in the database, which has been put together using a number of different sources and will be available by calling an operator, or via a website.

The service – 118800 – won’t actually directly disclose your number to anyone who looks you up. Instead, you’ll receive a text or call giving you details of the person who has made the enquiry, asking if you want to be connected to them. Despite repeated reassurances, privacy campaigners have already voiced concerns over the precedent that the service might set.

Connectivity, the company behind the new service, argues that mobile numbers are no different to landline records, which companies such as BT are obliged to hand over to home phone directory services, and initially tried to build its database by approaching mobile operators directly.

O2, which was even threatened with legal action when it refused to share its customers contact details, countered the argument by saying that the vast majority of people consider their mobile number to be private, and “like to decide for themselves who they give it to.” The other major UK networks also resisted attempts to get them to disclose their customers’ personal details.

Rather than follow through on its threats, which would probably have caused long delays to the launch of the service, Connectivity instead chose to build their mobile database using three alternative sources – through a list of consumers who have voluntarily given their number to market research companies, through consumers who have opted into marketing databases in the course of online transactions, and through brokers who buy and sell lists of numbers.

Connectivity also says that only people over the age of 18 are included amongst the 15 million numbers on their database. Consumers can make their mobile number ex-directory by texting the letter 'E' from their phone to 118800 - although standard network charges will apply.

One area where mobile phone customers (who are on pay-monthly contracts) don’t have a choice over whether their data is shared however is on their credit file.

As handsets become ever more advanced, and therefore expensive, mobile phone companies are increasingly keen to ensure that potential customers are credit-worthy. Although many people don’t associate a mobile phone with a credit check, it is not uncommon for customers to be turned down – especially if there is evidence of a late payment with another mobile operator in the past.

As with traditional credit facilities such as mortgages and credit cards, records of how you’ve paid your mobile phone bills will remain on your credit file for a period of six years. Any late payments or worse still defaults, could damage your future ability to get a mobile contract or other credit in the future.

You can check that your own mobile payments are all up-to-date by checking your credit file online. Choose to base your report on Callcredit or Equifax data, or for even better value for money, our Triple Agency Report.

Check your report now.