Am I going to lose my number?

Mr_Tart · 23-01-2009, 12:59

I'm with Orange, just passed my 18 month contract but due to unemployment I've not paid my bills since October and the phone is now off to incoming calls and texts aswell as outgoing. Fair enough. I've spoken to orange and explained that money is so tight at the moment I simply cannot afford to even pay £5 off my arrears at present but my intentions are to find a new job and then pay my arrears and continue with them. Obviously I have no idea how long this could take.

My dilema is I've had this number for about 12 years and although losing it wouldnt be the end of the world, there are some distant friends who have my number in their heads and I'd really like to keep it. Do I have any options here or does the number remain property of orange at all times?

I realise the ideal thing to have done was cancel the contract and take the number to PAYG but I was niave and thought things would get better etc etc.

flagpole · 23-01-2009, 13:04

I think there's a good chance you'll lose it. they certainly wont release it until you clear the balance. the question is whether or not the will re-use it in that time. - possibly not.

one thing though you would be best off paying something, even a pound a month, as this puts the debt into a different category than zero a month.

prking · 23-01-2009, 18:10

As a practical measure, why not sell that handset. Use the money to pay off most of the debt and then make an arrangement to the rest at a low amount per month. Buy the cheapest PAYG handset (4.95) or blag an old one from a friend and transfer your number to that. You will then have a few months before you have to top-up and will get incoming calls.

prking · 23-01-2009, 18:11

In fact, if you get one of O2's free PAYG SIMs and transfer your number to it, they will give you free credit.

23-01-2009, 12:59	#1
Mr_Tart Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: cardiff, wales Posts: 628	Am I going to lose my number? I'm with Orange, just passed my 18 month contract but due to unemployment I've not paid my bills since October and the phone is now off to incoming calls and texts aswell as outgoing. Fair enough. I've spoken to orange and explained that money is so tight at the moment I simply cannot afford to even pay £5 off my arrears at present but my intentions are to find a new job and then pay my arrears and continue with them. Obviously I have no idea how long this could take. My dilema is I've had this number for about 12 years and although losing it wouldnt be the end of the world, there are some distant friends who have my number in their heads and I'd really like to keep it. Do I have any options here or does the number remain property of orange at all times? I realise the ideal thing to have done was cancel the contract and take the number to PAYG but I was niave and thought things would get better etc etc.

23-01-2009, 13:04	#2
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	I think there's a good chance you'll lose it. they certainly wont release it until you clear the balance. the question is whether or not the will re-use it in that time. - possibly not. one thing though you would be best off paying something, even a pound a month, as this puts the debt into a different category than zero a month.

23-01-2009, 18:10	#3
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	As a practical measure, why not sell that handset. Use the money to pay off most of the debt and then make an arrangement to the rest at a low amount per month. Buy the cheapest PAYG handset (4.95) or blag an old one from a friend and transfer your number to that. You will then have a few months before you have to top-up and will get incoming calls.

23-01-2009, 18:11	#4
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	In fact, if you get one of O2's free PAYG SIMs and transfer your number to it, they will give you free credit.

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Am I going to lose my number?