Retrieving an old mobile number, how to go about it?

[alessandrov]

Hi - I have the exact same problem. The number was originally with Vodafone (I’m a former Vodafone employee), then moved to O2 and finally to Three. I closed the contract almost 2 years ago, and it looks like the number has gone back to Vodafone. I’d love to retrieve it, if possible?

[Adam]

Hi @alessandrov when you left us, you should have requested a PAC to take your number with you. If this wasn't the case, as you're no longer with us, we won't be able to get the old number back for you I'm afraid. 

[alessandrov]

Thanks @adam . I left Vodafone in 2007, moved the number to O2, then moved it again to 3 in 2015, and finally cancelled my 3 contract in 2017. Would the number be back with the original issuer, or with 3?

[Adam]

@alessandrov It would depend on how quickly the number was reused (if it has been). It would still apply that we wouldn't be able to get the number back. It may just be worth contacting your current provider to check. 

[oli22shots]

I have the same problem. I have a mobile number which I've had for 19 years but has been put into quarantine (and according to someone in the vodafone shop, can no longer be retrieved). Please can someone from Vodafone community assist with retrivieving the number. 

[Gemma]

@oli22shots - That certainly is a long time! We can take a look and see if it’s still available to be reactivated.

So we can do this, please send us your details by following the instructions in this private message.

[Blah123]

Sorry to latch on to an old thread but I too need to recover an old number, or at least find out if it's possible. Please help!

[Alex]

@Blah123 If the number hasn't been recycled and is still available, we can try and get it back for you although as I'm sure you can understand, we wouldn't be able to make any promises! Pop us your details over using the link in my private message and we'll give it a go 😊 

[sherbey]

Hi Alex,

I've just (end of October) lost my mobile number as it was on Vodafone PAYG and it got terminated through lack of use. I would really like to keep this number if at all possible; can you help please?

Cheers,

Mark

[Alex]

@sherbey We can have a look for you 😊 Please get in touch using the link in my private message and we'll be in contact.

[jagmail]

Hi,

I have a Vodafone contract throgh my employer and want to transfer the phone number to my name under payg and get a new number for the company phone (keeping the business contract). I have been advised that this might not be possible, that I can only transfer the existing number either cancelling the contract or moving the contract to my name (I just want the number). They said that I could get a new number in the corporate contract but my existing number would be gone. If I do that, would it be possible to get that number afterwards for payg?

Thanks

Alvaro

[jagmail]

Thanks. Yes, this is what I was told. If we get a new number to the existing contract, is there a way for me to later chose that number (which presumably would then  be in the pool of available numbers) for payg?

Thanks

Alvaro  

[jagmail]

Hi, I understand that it would be lost. My question is, once it is lost is there a way to somewhat retrieve that that number for a payg or personal contract since it would not be in use? I am not interested in transferring the existing business contracty to a personal contract because the monthly rate is too big.

Thanks

Alvaro

[TimTam]

I would also like to retrieve an old number if possible. It doesn’t seem to be in use. Could you help please?

[Tash]

@TimTam So I can look into your old number for you and find out whether this can be done, please follow the details that are in the private message I've sent.

[TimTam]

I never received a private message and when I tried to send one to @Natasha, I received the below response.

Due to the amount of queries we receive on the Community, we’re unable to respond to PM’s. Please follow one of the options below, to ensure your query is resolved as quickly as possible.

... Call 191 from your Vodafone mobile ...

[TJ]

I'm sorry to hear you never received a private message @TimTam, I've popped you another one out.

The reply you got back is an automated one, as the message we send out includes a form where you contact us; rather than through the private message itself. 

[TimTam]

This has been a tremendous waste of everyone's time and so to ensure this doesn't happen again, let me summarise my timeline below.

This thread started with the following problem:
I'm looking for a little help, or should I say information on retrieving an old mobile number that I once had with Vodafone. However, I had this number in questions most probably touching just over 10 years ago!

And I posted the below message:
I would also like to retrieve an old number if possible. It doesn’t seem to be in use. Could you help please?

Day 3: Vodafone: "We'll look into it, please refer to private message"

Day 3: No private message, which I noted on the forum

Day 4: Private message arrives, asking for basic personal details

Day 7: Vodafone asks to confirm my postcode

Day 9: Vodafone writes, "As you're looking to reconnect the line, we'll need to pass some extra security checks. I'd advise going to your nearest Vodafone store with photo ID to pass these"

Day 10: I went to the store to complete an ID check

Day 12: Vodafone: "Please be aware that we're unable to reconnect a number should this have expired more than 180 days ago."

Since the original message mentioned ten years and mine expired perhaps five years ago, I'm not sure why anyone at Vodafone thought it's a good use of their employees' time, let alone mine, to pursue this, when in the end I'm certain they did not even bother checking whether they could allocate this unused number to me again.

My advice would be to check eBay where sellers are listing an impressive array of phone numbers sold at nominal cost. Find one you like, and don't waste your time chasing Vodafone to do something they seem to be incapable of.

[Tash]

I'm sorry for the experience that you had when contacting us @TimTam. I've ensured that this has been fed back so this doesn't happen again in the future.

It's a shame that we were unable to reconnect the number for you - if you do have any further queries for us, please don't hesitate to reply to our latest email.

[puffin]

Hello there

I have more or less the same question:
My boyfriend left his company about 6 months ago and they wouldn't/couldn't allow him to take the number. We know that they didn't give the phone or number to anyone else in the company.For a while any call was going straight to the voicemail. Now it simply rings once and then disconnects when I call the number. Does this mean their contract expired and the number would be available again?

Puffin