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Data breach: sent a sim with number that is already in use

lucieelyse
Explorer

‎10-09-2021 11:33 PM

I recently purchased a pay as you go sim for my daughter for her coming birthday. I paid £10 online for a sim and bundle. I set up her phone today, when I downloaded WhatsApp I found lots of group messages already on her account attached to the new number, I found this strange as some of the message's dated back to 2019. I only ordered the sim on 30th August 2021. Anyway I removed and blocked the groups and messages. 

Since this, my daughters aunty sent her a text message, only to receive a call from a male with a southern accent, asking how she had his number. He explained that his WhatsApp had been cleared today also, and now he couldn't access it. My daughters aunty shared my phone number with said man. We had a conversation confirming that he had the exact same telephone number that was sent with my daughters pay as you go sim, this man has had the same number for 2 years! This is extremely concerning as personal information and data may have been accessed for both parties. This also explains why the sim had no data or call time when phone was set up today. I would appreciate some advice on how to rectify this ASAP. 

Kind regards 

0 Helpful
3 REPLIES 3
Northerner
EE Community Star
EE Community Star

‎10-09-2021 11:50 PM

Hi @lucieelyse 

 

Best option is to throw the PAYG SIM away and get another. 

 

Phone numbers are recycled but it isn't possible for there to be two numbers, although WhatsApp has on occasions connected old accounts on recycled numbers. It may also just be an unsolicited contact which has popped up on WhatsApp. 

 

The only personal data is that which you have given out. 

 

Thanks 



To contact EE Customer Services dial 150 From your EE mobile or 0800 956 6000 from any other phone. You can call Freephone +44 800 079 8586 on Skype

EE standard opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm - Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 8pm.
0 Helpful
lucieelyse
Explorer
In response to Northerner

‎11-09-2021 12:03 AM

Hi,

Thank you for you reply. Yes, I thought it was very unusual but I spoke to the guy and he confirmed the same number, he also received a text message, not through WhatsApp but through imessage. I will order a new sim, how do I go about reclaiming the £10 I paid for the data, calls and text package?

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0 Helpful
Profile closed
Not applicable
In response to lucieelyse

‎11-09-2021 01:53 AM

Hi @lucieelyse 

 

Welcome to the EE Community,

 

If you speak to customer services on 150 they should be able to allocate a new number to the account as you have just bought the sim and you are already experiencing problems.

 

Thanks,

 

David.