Requesting specific numbers

[Harbourmaster]

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply here...

I used to have a bunsiness contract and stupidly used my number as the 2FA for several online accounts. It's been over a year since the contract ended and unfortunately I need to get back in to some of those accounts. I've spent dozens of hours on the phone and had lots of mixed messages. My understanding so far is that after 6 months the number goes back into a 'pool' of sorts but haven't been able to get a straight answer on whether or not I can request the number and if so, how.

From reading other community posts it seems like if you kick up enough of a fuss then it becomes possible but does anyone know who to get in touch with / how to speak to the right person?

Cheers! 

[Cleoriff]

@Harbourmaster 

You are correct in thinking after a certain amount of time, a number goes back into a pool and is then reassigned. Occasionally people have been lucky enough in retrieving an old number but usually within a month or less.

There is no harm in trying and you need to call O2.

All numbers are in this guide

Guide: Coronavirus Community Help and Support 

Advice from an O2 Guru regarding a way to get through:

When you call, you will be asked for the reason you are calling,

Stay silent for 15 seconds and you will be taken to the keypad options.

Press 2 for Everything Else

Press 5 for More Options

Press 7 for Anything Else which will put you though to an advisor.

Press Upgrade, Lost/Stolen or Fraud if you have to.

8am is the best time to call

[Harbourmaster]

Thanks @Cleoriff for the advice - I'll give them a call this week and see if I can get someone helpful. Cheers for the guide on calling too - I find the dead-ends really frustrating too. 

I'm more than willing to pay extra to have the specific number I had before (though I wasn't sent a PAC code when I requested one at the end of my contract which I guess is neither here nor there at this point) but it's getting through to someone who wants to help rather than just get me off the phone asap

Someone in another post had a 5 or so year gap but said a strongly worded letter higher up the chain got the job done - I just would have thought there was a set process for this... I know it's out of the ordinary but surely it's not that uncommon to want a specific number. 

[MI5]

@Harbourmaster 

This may be something that @O2Lisa can help you with in the morning.

[Harbourmaster]

Thanks @MI5 - Fingers crossed! I really appreciate your help, I'm at the hair-pulling stage and don't have enough to spare! 

[MI5]

I know what you mean mate

[O2Lisa]

Morning all, thanks for the tag @MI5 

I'll private message you @Harbourmaster and look in to this for you 

[MI5]

Thanks @O2Lisa 

[O2Lisa]

You're welcome @MI5 

[APutt]

Hi @O2Lisa, we're having the same issue described in this post. Please could you message me and help.

Currently doing circles in customer service, even being sold new contracts on the promise this resolves the issue.

I'm online now and would really appreciate if you could message me.

Thanks