How can I get a brand new number not a recycled number?

[bluesunset]

Hi all,

To cut a very long story short - I joined O2 PAYG a couple of weeks ago with a new number and SIM from O2. As soon as I activated it, within a few hours I was receiving calls from various debt collection companies, all trying to get hold of the same person - presumably someone who had the number before me. I spoke to an agent on live chat, and got an instant number change free of charge - no problem there.

Then, in a second round of unbelievable bad luck, on the replacement number I am getting promotional texts from places like Dominos and Gala Bingo - the text from Gala started with "Lucy!..." so it's clearly targeted at someone who has registered that number with Gala Bingo.

I have spoken with customer services who have offered to change the number for a second time free of charge, but they have told me they cannot guarantee the number will be a new one and they can't select one from a pool of new numbers, just available ones. Now I completely understand that numbers get recycled from time to time but does anyone have any ideas or tips on how I can a genuine brand new never-used number - one that nobody has ever had before me?

I have tried to block some of the texts but as they are sent from "Dominos" for example (text not a number) and not from a specific number I cannot get the block list to accept them.

[Cleoriff · Accepted solution]

@bluesunset 

I think you just have to accept O2's offer of another free number. I doubt you will be unlucky enough for it to happen a third time.

OR, If you live near an O2 store, it may be easier to pop instore and explain your situation and they should give you a completely new unopened sim card.

[MI5]

Virtually all numbers on all networks are recycled otherwise there wouldn’t be enough to go round. There is no guarantee that a new sim would have a new number on it but you could look into the purchase of a gold number which may give you better odds of it being new.

[jonsie]

@bluesunset 

Just register here ::

https://www.o2startrader.co.uk/

They will send you a block of 10 or 20 numbers. Just select the one you want and give the rest away. No comeback, no unwanted spam at all. You have a choice of tariffs you can order. You don't have to be a trader or business, anyone can order the ims.

[anticpated]

Nice info to have jonsie