Hard inquiry for changing cellphone service? WTH?

[SouthJamaica]

I was surprised and dismayed that when I changed my cellphone service provider the other day, they did a hard credit inquiry.

Never even asked me.

If I'd known I wouldn't have made the change.

[Anonymous]

These HP are aggravating when they are unexpected. Wells Fargo did a HP when I asked to be let into my paid off account to print a document. I actually never was able to get back into the account, but evidently they don't know that. The HP said I was inquiring about opening an account. @#$

They are also the ones who did multiple hard pulls on two credit bureaus a week after my car purchase. I am happy I am gardening. I have so many unnecessary pulls.  In the future I plan on asking. Sorry you were hit with this!

[Imhotrodcrazy]

Pretty soon they will start doing a hard pull every time we use the bathroom. 

[Revelate]

Cell phone and similar carriers (and utilities), inquiries are par for the course; has been for years if not more than a decade TBH.

I had 3 inquiries from Verizon over time, Internet, business wireless, business Internet.  Was not amused but that's the world we live in.