Can we request a truly new number for free when ringing EE customer service?

[Essexian]

I recently upgraded my phone contract and specifically asked for a new number. My reason was straightforward: my previous number had been exposed to spam calls after using it for 2FA on platforms like Twitter and Instagram

However, on the very first day with my new number, I received missed calls and texts from bailiffs. That’s when I realised the number had clearly been recycled

Since then (about three weeks now), I’ve continued to receive spam calls and messages

I’m frustrated that despite requesting a fresh number, I’ve been given one with a problematic history. Is there any way to request a truly unused number from EE without paying premium prices

[Chris_B · Accepted solution]

@Essexian   Very unlikely as numbers get recycled after a period of no usage and then they go in to a holding period until they get reallocated.     ( over 1 year ) There isn’t an infinite number of phone numbers available.   

[bristolian]

Put simply, there is not an infinite supply of new numbers.

When numbers are disconnected, there is quite intentionally a lengthy delay before the number is released back into the pool for re-issue. The debt management industry is one that naturally also has lengthy lead times, and thus you've been unlucky here.

You may wish to take a read of the following thread which touches on some of the same issues. The poster in that thread obtained a statement from one of the debt collectors suggesting that Experian may well be at fault

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Services/Recycled-mobile-number-debt-recovery-agencies-keep-con...