Mobile number already in use

[StacieWareham]

You've sent me a new sim today, but it's already in use by someone called Barbara apparently... How do I go about removing Barbara? 

[Schockwave]

Hello @StacieWareham ,

Welcome to the community,

I would suggest you ring customer service and speak to them by pressing option 2, and they can take a look for you.

Just one question, how do you know that it is already being used by someone called Barbara?

[bristolian]

What makes you think your new SIM is being used by someone called Barbara?

[StacieWareham]

Thank you will call tomorrow. 

As soon as I put the sim in, I had several messages come through for a Barbara. 

Also, when signing up to Facebook, the number was already linked to a profile with the name Barb, which I presume is Barbara, so I had access to this random woman's Facebook account.

Perhaps it would be best for you to send me a new sim, as I shouldn't be having access to people's socials that easily. 

[bristolian · Accepted solution]

When a mobile number is disconnected or cancelled, it's left in a quarantine pool for an extended period of time precisely to avoid and/or minimise the sort of thing you've described. Equally "Barbara" appears to have been somewhat lax with her social media security in not removing access to her old number - nothing EE can do about that.

CS should offer to change your number in this case, and hopefully there shouldn't be a repeat.

[XRaySpeX]

It's not being used now but was used once in the past by Babs!