Closing an o2 account

[Anonymous]

My ex partner got a contract phone a while ago which was contracted to her name.

We split up and I took over payment of said contract.

I have since tried everything in my power to try and get the details changed. My ex partner has called on several occasions to update the contract details yet every time o2 seem to agree but do absolutely nothing about it.

I've been a happy o2 customer for about 4 years but have had just about enough of the pathetic support.

Calling the inept support staff just leads to frustrating circular phone calls with a dissapointing end result.

So... What should I do next? I am tempted to sell the phone and stop paying the bill as the contract isn't in my name, which is perfectly legal and contrually acceptable as I have no obligation to o2.

[sheepdog · Accepted solution]

If the contract is in her name, payment source is a moot and correct, if you stop paying she ends up with the debt collectors at the door and lot more. I wouldn't advise going down that path as its just not nice. That and you technically don't own the phone so you can't sell it and the ex can report that as theft.

What it seems is that you want to takeover the contract which isn't possible unless you pass the credit checks as you cannot just swap over. You can swap the payment details but not the contract holder. 

Not sure on this but I believe you can try instore providing you have sufficient ID to swap and you bring along your ex.

Alternatively, what is easier and you want to keep the number is wait till the contract completes the minimum term and then your ex puts it onto PAYG (giving 30 days notice). You can then take that and apply for a contract in your name swapping the number over. There will be a small period where you have to wait between PAYG and going back onto contract.

[Bambino]

If you stop paying the bill it will have a detrimental effect on your ex partner's credit rating, as technically the bill is still in her name. I'm sure you wouldn't want that to happen. This is a very busy time of year with many people getting new phones for Christmas. It may just be taking some time for the details to change over.I would persevere and tell your ex to keep trying to call to confirm that the change has been done. Using chat on the O2 website is not a great idea, as most of it is outsourced. Good luck and hope you get things sorted out.

[Anonymous]

I don't care what happens to her. That's 'moot'. Has anyone at o2 read a contract law book? The word contract is fluid and dynamic by it's very nature.

My ex called on several occasions and was told the contract was updated. So unless your staff are scripted to lie... that wouldn't surprise me, actually.
I even have a recording of one agent saying exactly that.

Thanks for settling it.... I'll just sell the phone and move to another provider.

o2 sucks

[Bambino]

We are all customers here, unless it states in the signature that the person works for O2. No point in having a go at us. We're only trying to help answer your query.

[sheepdog]

BTW, your ex can also report the sim as stolen forcing a visit from the police if you haven't confirmed it via myo2 account. If you have an iphone be warned that the imei can be blocked by o2 as its linked to the account holder if the bill isn't paid which if you sell it, throws another less tolerant party into the mix. 

Oh and neither of us work for o2.

[Anonymous]

If she reported it as stolen she would liened for fraud (deception resulting in financial gain).

I don't have an ifad. But the protection system Apple relies on has been rooted in more ways I care to count... So that wouldn't be an issue even if I did.

I have no contract with o2 therefore I have no obligation or liability to them.

I assumed you worked for o2, but judging from this forum, they don't provide support here... Or anywhere for that matter.... My bad.


PS. I really don't care if the police want to come round... I'll even make cake!

Ignorantia legis neminem excusat, after all.

[Anonymous]

Throw as much of an adolescent strop as you wish, but it's not going to change the fact that as a business rule O2 do not change the name on a contract mid-term.

At the end of the contract feel free to take over the telephone number. The way to do it is this:

- set up an account in your own name with a temporary number
- phone up, with your ex, who will give permission to close her account and release the telephone number to you.

Only way it can be done, but feel free to pursue other paths and destroy your ex's credit rating into the bargain, I'm sure that will make you really popular with her.

[perksie]

You don't seem like a very nice character at all, this is nothing to do with O2, it's between you and your ex, you will be stealing from her.

[Anonymous]

1 - Who said the contract was "mid-term"
2 - My ex has contacted o2 on at least 3 occasions, one of which I recorded, and they agreed to change the details but failed to do anything apart from pay lip service.

@Perksie: What are you on about. I won't be stealing at all... It was a gift that I'm selling. derpy reply.