AT&T Hidden $1000 Required Deposit (must be held for one year) to Switch Account Holder /Credit Soft Hit is Actually a Hard Hit Dallas, Georgia

I have had an account for more than 30 years. Naturally, here in our area it was first Southern Bell, then it became Bell South and then it became AT&T. All the same phone service, just different 'owners' of the company. I called earlier this year to reduce my bill since I was being charged top dollar for phone, long distance and internet service.

When I requested a reduction in services, without my permission, they pulled my credit. In my case they had my social security number as you can not get service here without providing your ss info. I did not find out until months later when I was checking my credit reports. When I confronted AT&T they just blew it off saying they can pull any existing customers credit at any time. That particular statement is true - but they can do that as a soft pull under account monitoring. Instead, if you call to reduce services they do a hard pull.  In my case I was able to reduce the cost of services I had and reduce services I did not need, but I am stuck with that inquiry on my report for two years. When I called to challange the inquiry with AT&T they denied that it is a hard pull. The right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.

I don't have a solution for your problem. The $1000 deposit is very high. Are they using some sort of multiplyer of your monthly account usage? Since you are paying on time and can prove it for the past five years, consider going to a supervisor to have the deposit reduced or waived. The company won't 'cancel' your services if you pay on time so your deposit is not at risk. But you are tied into a contract for the term of the contract.

The alternative is to get another vendor for your phone service.