Unwanted contract

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Has anyone had this problem. (I'll try and keep it short). I got a sales call on my mobile. I am on PAYG, always have been. Sales offered me a tariff £2 or £3 cheaper. After all the sales talk and I was in work at the time, I agreed to a new tariff & sim with the option of contacting 02 to keep my original No: I received sim but didn't bother using it, at the time I didn't need the hassle of changing the sim and keeping my No: and price wise there wasn't much difference. So I forgot about it. Months later I received a letter stating 02 have stopped my calls & txts. Couldn't understand this as I am PAYG and was able to call and txt. I called 02, only to be informed that I had unknownly agreed to a contract with this new sim. Surely if I had not activated the sim I am not tied into a contract, baring in mind I did not realise the sales guy was selling a contract sim. There's a lot more, back and forth trying to resolve this, I received a 2nd bill yesterday. Apparently the contract commenced in Dec. Has anyone else been caught with sales like this? Thank you.

[jonsie]

It's not unknown but didn't you read the accompanying details that came with the sim? I presume you now owe a few months line rental and will have difficulties if this has been passed to a collection agency. How long was the contract for?

[Anonymous]

Tks for reply. I opened the envelope, seen what it was and threw it in the drawer (big mistake, I know). The contract is for a yr 😞

[perksie · Accepted solution]

Sounds a bit dodgy, but they are never going to take the trouble to phone you up to offer you a better Pay and Go deal.

It can only have been a contract and agreeing to it on the phone makes it legal.

You can still switch your number and take advantage of the contract deal.

[jonsie]

These cold callers are good at their job unfortunately. To be honest I think you are stuck with the contract now after 5 months and need to clear off the arrears. If the account can be reconnected you could in theory swap your number over.

I would try and get an appointment at the Citizens Advice to see what your options are.

[Anonymous]

I suppose perksie. I'm one of those people who's not interested in the latest whatever. Prime target, not aware how these contracts work. I won't be talking to anymore sales people again. Tks for your view on this.

[perksie]

I hope it works out ok for you.

Let us know how you get on.

[Anonymous]

I think your are right Jonsie. I'll visit an 02 shop and talk to someone. I'll see what they say and judge whether or not to go to Citizens Advice. The chat line isn't much good for things like this. Tks to all!:)

[Anonymous]

Cheers!