Lost my PAYG Number it has been recycled help NEED IT BACK

[IHateFatCats]

I have a PAYG because I do not want to show my main number online. It is on my CV, 100s of organisations have it, I have 5000 business cards printed with that number, It is on all my 20 websites etc. This bully EE company thinks they own this planet an can just deactivate my number as they wish. I had lost 10 job interviews, a business deal because of it. I am going to sue them for every penny they have and change my provider after my contract runs out. Sick of the big corporations treating us like slaves as they own us. Horrible service and customer care. They are just there to take our money so they can wash their butt with wine and laugh at us.

[Chris_B]

@IHateFatCats  They don’t deactivated it when they want they deactivated it because of lack of use.   You need to make a chargeable call/text every 90 days if you don’t it’s put in to hibernation then you have to call customer services to get it reactivated if you don’t do it within 90 days after the Sim card is deactivated and the number has to be recycled because it is deemed that you’re not using it, EE or any network for that matter will not just keep a sim activated because you could of simply just thrown it away.    Don’t blame EE because they are running the same policy as every other network on Sim cards are not used for a set period of time there isn’t an infinite number of telephone numbers so they have to be reused.     

[bristolian]

Hi @IHateFatCats 

You've mentioned about having a PAYG, but also "changing my provider after my contract runs out".

It may be worth checking whether you're on PAYG or contract, the two are mutually exclusive and one mobile number is either of the two but not both.

If you're on PAYG, then you are subject to the non-usage hibernation policy that requires you to use your phone once every 6months to avoid disconnection. If you're on pay-monthly, then your number will remain live for as long as you maintain your monthly payments.

[IHateFatCats]

I said I have two phones and did not use the PAYG for a while. I have lost over £1000s because of that. Who do they think they are? Why in 2022 a number disappears into the ether? Why can’t they reactivate it. Why didn’t I get an email? Why did they not call me? Why didn’t send me a letter. Why did they send a text on a phone that was dead? Where is the number? In a blackhole.

I am taking legal action against them.

[XRaySpeX]

You didn't but ... !

Who depends their business & jobs on a "no-name" PAYG phone?

Where's the legal breach of T&C's you accepted when you signed up?

[Chris_B]

@IHateFatCats  Here is part of EEs T&Cs that you should know for PAYG customers. 

6.3 You must make a Connection Action at least once every 180 days. If You do not, Your SIM Card will be disconnected from the Network and You will not be able to use the Services. You will lose Your mobile phone number and any Credit on Your Account at the time of such disconnection will be forfeited.

you agreed to this when you agreed to use the EE PAYG sim. 

 You also might want to read THIS 

[Northerner]

Hi @IHateFatCats l

To add to @Chris_B  post EE have a hibernation policy on PAYG numbers. 

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Pay-as-you-go/What-is-pay-as-you-go-and-flex-hibernation-and-how-do-I-...

If you think about it this makes sense as PAYG numbers are disposable and there are only so many numbers able. Really this is your own fault for not using the number or making a chargeable call or text to keep the number live. 

Thanks