With most telecom subscribers having only mobile phones, overdue payments are leading to a decline in their credit scores, the Korea Communications Commission said Tuesday.

The majority of consumers with unpaid mobile bills are in their teens and 20s, with their credit scores dropping from a high 1 to a low 9.

In 2015, the highest number of mobile subcribers with overdue bills were in their 20s - 139,185 cases - which totaled 51.2 billion won ($42.5 million).

”Those in their 20s cannot help but receive the greatest blow by reflecting unpaid phone invoices on their credit score as they are the most active mobile users, earning them a bad credit standing from a young age,” industry sources said.

Of the three major wireless operators - SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus - only SKT reflects unpaid invoices in subcribers’ credit information.
(Graphic: Nam Kyung-don)