Maybe worried about nothing....

whiskydry

I want to be armed with info before I call Vodafone later, because I'm a teeny bit concerned....

Middle of last week, I lost my phone (lost my whole damn bag but for the purpose of this conversation lets just worry about the phone!) I rang Vodafone and told them my phone was lost so the sim would need blocking. I asked if I would still be able to keep my own number and would they send me a new sim? Answer to both was yes.

Sunday I rang them back to find out whether there was any way for me to access any voicemails that may have been left on my phone since it's loss (since if I rang my number, it was going to voicemail) The ensuing conversation led me to believe the sim was never blocked, judging by all the "so you rang on wednesday?) type questions, and the long amount of time spend "just refreshing your account to make sure it's all properly blocked for you..." Anyway, no problem, as long as the phone hasn't been running up bills, then I'll live with it, and I am assured no bills have been run up.

So I can't access any voice mail, and I'm advised to go to town and collect a sim card myself, which I should be able to get on with today, then call them so they can assign my number to it.

My worry is that I can no longer access my Vodafone account online. Surely blocking my sim shouldn't have rendered unable to access my account? I have online billing, including a mobile broadband dongle as well, so I feel a bit concerned that I can't check it out! Also, I'm about 5 months off the end of a painfully long 24 month contract (the phone died long before the contract end!) and I have a nagging unease that when I get this new sim card, they might start a new contract, leaving me with a £5 PAYG phone, probably a debt for 5 months of contract, and a very bad taste in my mouth!

As I say, I may be worrying about nothing here, but.... does anyone have any experience of the situation, or pearls of wisdom to bestow to make sure I don't get caught out?

matty538

Id say you could possibly retrieve your voicemail when you get the new sim as it will be the same number so in theory same voicemail.
As for the contract no need to worry about that, Ive lost phones and damaged a couple of sim cards all they do is give you a new sim, sometimes there is a charge for this but its not much, and your back up and running with no extension to your contract.

whiskydry

OK so you don't read anything worrying into the fact that I can't access my account online?

Fingers crossed then! I bet the only voicemail message is the one I left "saying if you've got this phone, it's mine, please give it back!" LOL!

esuhl

Not sure about the online account issue, but you can usually access your voicemail from any phone. Just dial your mobile number, press hash when you hear the recorded message and enter your voicemail PIN. If you haven't set a pin, it will probably be the Vodafone default, which I think is 3333.

Of course, if you haven't set up your own PIN, anyone can pick up (and delete) your voicemails any time they wish.

Update:
You'd need to check the Ts&Cs to find out what would happen if you report the SIM lost/stolen, but I'm pretty sure that they can't extend your contract.

Vodafone

Hi whiskydry

I realise that this is probably already resolved, but I just wanted to jump on to confirm a few things.

Getting a replacement sim won't extend your contract.

A bar on your number will stop you accessing online billing.

You will be able to access your voicemails as soon as you have your sim replaced. You can get them when you don't have your sim with you by calling 07836 121121 from any other phone and entering your mobile number and security code.

All the best

Kirsty
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK

whiskydry

Thanks, yeah it was all very simple in the end, worried for nothing!

I'm able to upgrade to a decent phone from the middle of December, but I'll be holding out for an iphone! My trusty little fiver phone will suffice for now!