Lost mobile number

[PhoneChanger]

Hi all

Given the wealth of knowledge and experience on the forum I could do with some advice.

My father is currently in contract with provider X for their mobile number (I won't name them, but it's not O2), however due to recent changes an opportunity has arrisen to leave contract early, which he is taking.

He e-mailed them to provide the required 30 days notice, which they dually accepted, however due to an error on their part (they say system issues) the cancellation was processed immediately meaning that as of 6:00pm last night the mobile in question was disconnected (he had a PAC code issued hours before this).

Upon this discovery and calling the supplier they have advised that they cannot recover the original mobile number and that it is now "lost", and there is nothing they can do to recover the number. My father is 70 next year and has had that number for 20 years (since Cellnet). Is it correct that there is nothing at all that can be done?

Anyone any advice?

Many thanks. Andy

[Bambino]

That can't be true. For accountancy reasons your father's records must still be in the system. Sounds like someone is being economic with the truth and just doesn't want to be bothered. I would go back and press them for more information. You were given a PAC. You should be allowed the opportunity to use it.

[jonsie]

If he has a PAC for the number I would think giving that to a new provider with the mobile number in question should produce the information as to whether the number can be retrieved. Personally I have never heard of such a mess before.

[Cleoriff]

That sounds like a load of rubbish to me. Someone can't be bothered . Incidentally the PAC has to be used within 30 days...

[PhoneChanger]

Thanks for all the advice guys, but I have just spoken to Ofcom who have confirmed that the number will be lost.

The PAC code is only valid to use while the account is active, however since supplier X have disconnected the account at of 6pm yesterday there is little to no chance of recovery. Ofcom have confirmed that from their experience, when this has happened in the past no-one has ever recovered their number...

They have logged the complaint against suppler X and have advised I need to persue a compensation claim with them... 😞

[MI5]

I'd wager this was Vodafone? As they did the same to me a few years ago.
I kept onto their cs until I found someone who was willing or able to reconnect me.

[PhoneChanger]

Regretfully not, it was BT Mobile, and it was their executive level complaints team who made the error (they have admitted it), but they are addament there is nothing they can do, they can supply him with a new number and re-activate the account, but not restore the original number.

[PhoneChanger]

Bear in mind there is no escalation level beyond the executive complaints team... I've e-mailed the CEO but it is the same team who reply...

[MI5]

Keep trying. They can manually re enter the number on the system.

[PhoneChanger]

Is there a way to prove that they can do this? as without reliable information i'm stuck, as they are adamant they can't...