Most electricity providers require a credit check for new customers. Depending on your credit history, you might be required to pay a deposit to the provider upfront. If you’re concerned about this, you can seek out a pre-paid plan or one that specifically says it doesn’t require a credit check. Additionally, some electricity providers will allow you to get around the deposit requirement by providing a letter of credit from your current electricity provider or a copy of your most recent electricity bill, with no past-due balance or late fees.