Finding and reconnecting an old number

[Aidans3]

Hi all, 

My wife had her number for 22 years. She hasn't used it since last summer and discovered today that it has been recycled. As you can imagine she is very upset. I have some questions - is there a way to check if someone already has it? I did try looking it up on Whatsapp as a contact but seems it is not in use on Whatsapp. If not already assigned is there a way I can activate this number for my wife, to get it back for her? 

Any help would be appreciated. 

[bristolian · Accepted solution]

PAYG lines are subject to the hibernation policy - https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Pay-as-you-go/What-is-pay-as-you-go-and-flex-hibernation-and-how-do-I-... 

This requires chargeable usage at least once every 6 months, with 3 months grace before outright disconnection after 273 days.

If it's been longer than that, then the number in question is no longer your wife's.

[XRaySpeX]

If it has been unused for more than 9 months it has 1st gone into hibernation after 6 months & when still unused after a further 3 months it has been deactivated completely so you have lost it. You cannot get it back.

[Aidans3]

Thank you for your reply.

[Aidans3]

Thank you for your reply.