O2 Switch Up name change...

[JoeHolden_]

TL;DR - Customer Service won't change name on account from fathers to mine... anything that can be done?

Hi All,

Basically, an oversight on my part I must admit. When I was younger my father initially took out my phone contract for obvious reasons (age and lack of credit a result of that etc.). For the past 3/4 iterations of the contract, we've just upgraded with no regard to the name actually on the account, but I've paid for it for however many donkey's of years its been now.

He's always been present when doing upgrades etc. so it's been overlooked I guess as the account holder has always been present during the process.

I've rung 202 today to try and get the name changed on the Switch Up contract but the assistant on the phone is adamant the only way to change the name is to pay off the device plan and start a new contract altogether. Is this true? And if so have I lost the Switch Up perk of the contract I've been paying for solely by the wrong first name being on the contract?

Also, would the old phone being traded in under switch up constitute towards paying off the device plan so I could start a new contract? Seems very unfortunate to have to pay the device plan off out of my pocket when the Switch Up plan is meant to do this.

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated!

Best wishes all!

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@JoeHolden_ 

Yes, the agent is correct.

Theoretically, you could change the name when you use switch up as it is a new contract (your father would need to be present for this) but, that would put you on the new 90 day terms for switch up as you would lose the anytime switch up benefit.

[Bambino]

@JoeHolden_ The current contract belongs to your father, even though you are paying it. If you want a contract in your own name, it would be subject to a credit check. If you don't think you can pass the check, keep things as they are.

[JoeHolden_]

Hi both,

Many thanks for the replies. It very much is just a case of getting the name change done luckily and there certainly shouldn't (famous last words!) be any issue in Credit Checks. 

I'll head into a store next time I'm with him and attempt to change via a new switch up contract!

Thanks both for your time!

[MI5]

You're welcome @JoeHolden_