Cancelling half of joint account not in my name

[Spike_pkh]

Posting on behalf of my partner:

"I have a joint phone contract (2 phones and 2 numbers) with an ex partner which has now passed the contract end date. I would like to cancel this contract and get a new one alone however the ex partner is refusing to contact Vodaphone so I am left paying each month for an account I no longer want. I have contacted vodaphone to be told that without my ex contacting them they cannot end my contract. What can I do?"

[BandOfBrothers]

Vodafone would only discuss a contract end with the account holder who would then need to pass security protocols.

You could end the direct debit so your not paying for a contract not in your name and let the account holder know so they can take action themselves.

Cancel-your-account. 

Edit....

You could also ask the account holder to transfer ownership of the account to you.

Transfer-of-ownership. 

[Spike_pkh]

The issue is they refuse to have any contact and has moved to another country. If my partner stops paying he will be left with the account which he doesn't seem to care about and she won't be able to transfer her number to a new account.

I have told her to just leave him the the debt and negative effects that come along with it however she does not want to lose her number she has had for 7 years

[Amanda]

Hi @Spike_pkh - thank you for reaching out to us and letting us know what's been happening - it sounds like you're trying to resolve this as amicably as possible.

As we don't have joint account options here at Vodafone, I think from what you've described the ex-partner is the account holder and your partner a named contact on there - as only account holders have the authority to request cancellation. 

Although you mention that the payments are taken via their bank details, it's actually only the account holder that's financially responsible for the account - which is why it has to be them that request any contractual changes, such as ending the contract. If you cease payment the account holder would be notified that payment was due - then if payment isn't received the usual debt collection process would be followed. 

If your partner wants to keep their number and simply move it under their name, this is called a Transfer of Ownership - either they or the account holder can request this here and we'll confirm it with both parties. Please note if you do follow this process, then you're not able to upgrade until after the first three bills have been produced and paid under the new account.

Alternatively if they don't want to keep their number, they can just take out a new contract in their name via our website, in store or by calling us on 191 from the current mobile phone or 08080 408 408 from a landline. 

I hope that's helped and if you have any more questions, please just let me know 🙂 

[simax]

If you know the account PIN (4 digits long), you can request a PAC by text - send the following:

PAC + PIN (eg: PAC 1234) to 65075

Once received the number can be used to transfer to a pay as you go sim (which will cancel the old account) then back out to whatever deal you want. The number will be yours then.

[Amanda]

Thanks for helping @simax but you can only text for a PAC code if there's just the one number on the account - take a look here for more info 🙂

[simax]

Of course, I forgot about that. Apologies.

[AnnS]

@Spike_pkh 

Does you partner have access to the online account?  If she has, she can get a PAC from there, she need to log in followed by Settings > Plan settings > View > Switch to another network > Switch my network.

In all fairness, her ex is being unreasonable here, he doesn't need to contact Vodafone when it can be so easily done online. 

Otherwise, just stop paying and let Vodafone chase him for the money, it is just a mobile number and she would be able to get a lovely new gold number from Vodafone  Gold Number Sales 

@Amanda  I thought the change of ownership 3 month criteria for upgrading or changing the contract had been changed and this could now be done immediately.

[Amanda]

No apologies needed @simax 🙂 

I've looked into this further and both our internal and external information shows the three month rule is still currently in place @AnnS - if I hear anything to suggest otherwise I'll get back to you and let you know. 

[Amanda]

No apologies needed @simax 🙂 

I've looked into this further and both our internal and external information shows the three month rule is still currently in place @AnnS - if I hear anything to suggest otherwise I'll get back to you and let you know.