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

[MI5]

I just kept phoning until they did it.

[PhoneChanger]

No luck, tried again, only to be told the same information. I asked them about providing a 'memorable number' as a substitute, since at 70 years of age it would be easier on him, but they have replied with "all out numbers for all customers are randomly assigned, we cannot choose them".

They seem hell bent on being as unhelpful as possible since he's leaving them...

They refuse to offer any additional compensation as well. May have to be forced to send this case to the onbudsman, but not sure what sort of compensation I should be requesting anyway...

Thanks for all the advice though

[MI5]

I would kick off big time and make as much noise as I could on Twitter, Facebook etc.....

[jonsie]

Absolutely disgraceful. The very least they could have done is supplied a memorable number. Shocking!

[Cleoriff]

Things like this make me quite angry. It's not the OP's fault this number has been 'lost'. The least they could have done was supply a memorable number.

[PhoneChanger]

Yep, but i'm guessing as seen as we are taking our business away from BT they see it as they don't need to put any effort in to resolve it.

I've posted it on facebook and twitter but it's pot luck if it helps...

[Cleoriff]

Best of luck anyway Andy....This is such an example of poor customer service. Pathetic really

[jonsie]

I never hold out much hope for social media to be honest but fingers crossed for you.

[MI5]

Worst case you can get a memorable number of eBay then it's just a case of letting all his contacts know of a change of number.

[jonsie]

Goes against all principles but it might be worth it in the long run.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/unique-mobile-numbers