Readers React: Why so many customer credit checks?

To the editor: David Lazarus’ column was on point about AT&T running a credit check on an existing customer. I had the same issue with Southern California Gas Co. (“Reconnecting with AT&T has hang-ups,” Column, June 23)

We have lived in our home for 27 years; our average monthly bill was less than $20, and we were never late with a payment. We are moving seven miles away and transferring service, and the gas company insisted on running a credit check.

Of course we argued that it should look at our payment history; its answer was that if we have not run a credit check in two years, we have to run it.

This is absolutely an unnecessary expense and an intrusion into our credit history for zero benefit. The gas company’s insistence on this is indicative of poor management, a lack of customer service and common sense.

Patricia Jacobs, Simi Valley