Orange PAC/Cancellation problems

potatan

Hi,
I phoned Orange on 24th April to cancel my account with 30 days notice, and requested a PAC code, which duly arrived in the post a couple of days later. I am outside the fixed term contract, i.e. free to cancel with no penalty other than the 30 days notice.

I decided not to port my number to the new provider, for various reasons (spam texts etc.), and duly texted all my friends with my new number, from the new provider.

Then a bill arrived yesterday, for line rental up to 16th June (note, this is not a final bill, just a normal monthly bill).

So I just spoke to Orange customer services, and they said that because I had not used the PAC code, they were assuming that I was staying with Orange.

Apparently, this would have been explained to me at the time I tried to "cancel" my contract (which of course, I don't recall hearing as it was 29 days ago).

I don't really want to activate the PAC code, and go back to my old number, but I *do* want Orange to cancel my contract. As it stands, I would have to ring Orange again, and request a proper cancellation, with no PAC code, at which point I would be liable for another 30 days line rental.

Any ideas?

I'm tempted to ask for a record of the conversation I had with them 30 days ago, to see what they actually told me, but this would probably be a Data Protection request, and may cost me £10 ?

Thanks in advance
Paul

CG19a

Get a free PAYG sim card, and PAC the number onto that. Problem solved.

potatan

Excellent idea, and also suggested when I spoke to my new contract provider, O2.
Would have self-replied sooner but the forums were down, but thanks for the suggestion.

PotatoPotato

Since you dont need your old number anymore. Why dont you just cancel your contract? Instead of requesting a PAC.
A PAC is just to move providers (or contract/pay and go) and KEEP your number.

colony

potatan wrote: »

Hi,
I phoned Orange on 24th April to cancel my account with 30 days notice, and requested a PAC code, which duly arrived in the post a couple of days later. I am outside the fixed term contract, i.e. free to cancel with no penalty other than the 30 days notice.

I decided not to port my number to the new provider, for various reasons (spam texts etc.), and duly texted all my friends with my new number, from the new provider.

Then a bill arrived yesterday, for line rental up to 16th June (note, this is not a final bill, just a normal monthly bill).

So I just spoke to Orange customer services, and they said that because I had not used the PAC code, they were assuming that I was staying with Orange.

Apparently, this would have been explained to me at the time I tried to "cancel" my contract (which of course, I don't recall hearing as it was 29 days ago).

I don't really want to activate the PAC code, and go back to my old number, but I *do* want Orange to cancel my contract. As it stands, I would have to ring Orange again, and request a proper cancellation, with no PAC code, at which point I would be liable for another 30 days line rental.

Any ideas?

I'm tempted to ask for a record of the conversation I had with them 30 days ago, to see what they actually told me, but this would probably be a Data Protection request, and may cost me £10 ?

Thanks in advance
Paul

This has happened to me a while ago. The cheeky !!!!!!s never even mentioned that not using the PAC would have any bearing. Crooks!

Buzby

I disagree - they're dammed if they do and dammed if they don't! It is REASONABLE to assume that if a PAC is requested, the users wishes to retain their number. If the port doesn't take place, the number is lost for all time, but the contract ends. I know which I'd prefer.

If you don't need the number ported. Don't faff around - decline a PAC and confirm the date of cessation. Problem solved!

proplusplus

CG19a wrote: »

Get a free PAYG sim card, and PAC the number onto that. Problem solved.

nice idea, unfortunately the PAC would (likely) have expired by now [only valid for 30 days], so you;d need to request another and renew the whole 30 day thing. easiest to just call up, ask to cancel and say there was a mistake with your previous request, haggle/argue for a discount. if no joy, just cancel and maybe write a complaint.

proplusplus