topic Classic pay as you go in Pay As You Go

Classic pay as you go

Angevin — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 12:04:02 GMT

Am I right that the terms for Classic PAYG Tariff have changed meaning that even if you make one call in a 6 month period your number will be disconnected unless you top up or have a bolt on? In effect you are being forced to have a bolt on for a months duration as a minimum or pay £10 to top up in order to keep your number?

Re: Classic pay as you go

MI5 — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 12:17:58 GMT

@Angevin

The website does state that but the actual requirement is still a call or text at least once every 6 months and a top up every 999 days.

As long as the sim is seen to be in use, it won't be disconnected.

Re: Classic pay as you go

Angevin — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 13:23:40 GMT

Many thanks MI5 for your reply which is appreciated as I only use the PAYG phone occasionally and which is kept in the car for emergencies.

Re: Classic pay as you go

MI5 — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 14:34:49 GMT

Just text youself if you don't have any other need to text @Angevin

Re: Classic pay as you go

jonsie — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 16:53:57 GMT

Some customers have reported that customer serice have told them a call is needed after each 3 month period

As far as we know that is incorrect and the active period is 6 months

Re: Classic pay as you go

KeithR — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 10:51:29 GMT

As I've seen conflicting views on this question, I thought I would write an actual letter to O2 in the hope of getting a definitive answer. The reply from the O2 Correspondence Team (dated 19/09/20) says "As your usage is very limited, I would request you to please make a short chargeable call and top up at least once in 6 months to keep the sim active".

It being 5 months since my last topup and at the risk of losing my mobile number, I may just offer myself up as a sacrificial test case!

Re: Classic pay as you go

MI5 — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 10:54:15 GMT

Yes, I'm sure they would love you to top up every 6 months whether needed or not

Re: Classic pay as you go

KeithR — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 13:37:02 GMT

So, having too much time on my hands, I rang O2 Customer Service for another definitive view. I was told I had to make a call every month and topup every 6 months. So, I questioned this and, after the lady went away for 2-3 minutes to check, she then said there was no need to top up every 6 months, but maintained that I have to call/text every 'couple of months'.

I think I trust you, MI5, more on this!

Re: Classic pay as you go

MI5 — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 13:45:20 GMT

It's from my own experience @KeithR

and also my experience with customer service

Re: Classic pay as you go

littlelinn — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 15:59:10 GMT

Angevin I use my PAYG phone exactly like you and was cut off a couple of weeks ago. I had used text 4 times in the 6 month period because I was lead to believe by customer service that they counted. When I rang them yesterday I was told text /messages do not count as they are not registered as a chargeable action. Because I had been given false info he kindy reinstated me. He did not say anything about topping up. If they dont know the rules how are we to know?

Re: Classic pay as you go

MI5 — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 15:57:23 GMT

@littlelinn

Whether a text is chargeable or not will depend on your tariff, but the key to keeping the sim active is "chargeable" activity

Re: Classic pay as you go

littlelinn — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 14:52:44 GMT

Hi M15 Totally agree. I am on Classic pay as you go and my texts are chargeable but as I said customer service told me that texts are registerd differently to phone calls and so do not register as if you have made a chargeable action. Just saying as I dont want anyone falling into the same trap as I did, especially if the phone is important to them. Seeing as customer service is giving out different information I think I will use all my credit and forego my phone which is a shame as it was my deceased husbands phone and number so sentimental to me

Re: Classic pay as you go

MI5 — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 14:54:42 GMT

@littlelinn

We sometimes wonder where customer service get their ideas from.

People have been sending texts to keep accounts active for years. We've never heard that they don't count before now.

Re: Classic pay as you go

littlelinn — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:10:32 GMT

So if people have been texting to keep their phones active why has it not worked for me? The last text I sent from my husbands phone to mine - which I answered - was on 23th Aug and they cut me off on 2nd Oct. I do remember the girl in the o2 shop looking a bit confused when she looked into my message history and told me to ring customer services. So maybe cutting me off was an error on their part and they are giving me fasle info to cover their mistake?

Re: Classic pay as you go

MI5 — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:12:20 GMT

Indeed @littlelinn

I would say it was an error too.

Re: Classic pay as you go

littlelinn — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:22:42 GMT

Thank you for reply It would be nice to know what happens to KeithR after he sacrifices himself lol

Re: Classic pay as you go

MI5 — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:26:26 GMT

We're all waiting to find out too

Re: Classic pay as you go

KeithR — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:58:17 GMT

4 days to go @littlelinn until my 6 months is up - trying to stay calm!

Re: Classic pay as you go

littlelinn — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:18:13 GMT

Oh thank you KeithR and M15 for last two replys its nice to have a laugh 🤣 especially in these difficult times Keep safe

Re: Classic pay as you go

KeithR — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 21:29:35 GMT

Well, it's 6 months and a day since my last topup and I'm still connected! During that time, I've made 3 or 4 one minute calls and sent about 5 texts. I'll let you know if anything changes.