pestered

StinkerPinker

Hi,

Bought a new SIMless handset from a warehouse for my elderly aunt, then a vodafone PAYG SIM for it off the shelf from a high street phoneshop.

Not given the number out much, just a text to a relative in another country and an entry to an ITV program-related competition.

Now being pestered by Westcot Credit, apparently a bunch of debt collectors from Hull, who keep ringing and leaving voicemail messages to call them back. Done that twice - they can find nothing on their system relating to this new number but want me to give my home phone number and name so they can check their "other system" - as if!

And they're not very nice on the phone either - the woman wouldn't take my word when I assured her I had no debt with them, or indeed anyone. Cheeky devils!

Supposedly a brand new number, not associated with any name or address. How can this problem arise? And they say they won't stop until they get my details, which isn't going to happen.

This has ruined my aunt's first mobile phone experience. She wants to get rid of the phone altogether. I'm going to have to bin this SIM and get another one with a different number, and try hard to win her 'round again.

Anyone else had this sort of problem?

cgk1

Supposedly a brand new number

Yes and no - mobile numbers are recycled, so it's likely that they are chasing the old owner of the number - searching the web this is more common than you would think.

Jon_01

Sounds to me like it's a recycled number rather than a new one and the previous owner has run up the debt. They've probably been trying the number for months until it was reconnected

StinkerPinker

Thanks for that cgk1 & Jon 01. I had no idea numbers were recycled. That explains it, then.

Problem is, my 80yr old aunt can't seem to quite grasp that the handset is not the same as the phone number, and is now scared of getting some huge bill or something. She wants me to bin the phone itself. Reassurance is proving an uphill struggle. She's deadly scared of anything connected to debt and debt collectors.

Would the shop that sold me the SIM be liable in any way, do you think?

ATB.

Jon_01

All the networks recycle their numbers (or they'd run out). They leave them for at least 6 months before they become available again, which is usually enough to stop this kind of thing. (no the shops not liable or the network).

I'd call the network and explain what's happened, they'll can change the number for you (it that's not going to create more problems?)

gjchester

StinkerPinker wrote: »

Thanks for that cgk1 & Jon 01. I had no idea numbers were recycled. That explains it, then.

Problem is, my 80yr old aunt can't seem to quite grasp that the handset is not the same as the phone number, and is now scared of getting some huge bill or something. She wants me to bin the phone itself. Reassurance is proving an uphill struggle. She's deadly scared of anything connected to debt and debt collectors.

Would the shop that sold me the SIM be liable in any way, do you think?

ATB.

Go into a vodafone shop or call them and expalin the situation, they should be able to give you a new number and move the credit.

If they require it you may need to log it as harrasement with the police to get a crime ref no to pass to vodafone.

sparky93

do you get and caller id come up? and who do they ask for? as per other post, grab another vf sim, and they will move credit over.
I would next time answer the phone then put it on a table next to a radio and dont speak lol.....

StinkerPinker

Hmm, well there's only about a fiver left on it. Might as well just spend it and move on to a new SIM and number. They're free apart from the initial top-up. I wouldn't want to do anything that would somehow get any of my details into Westcot's system.

Thanks, everyone. I've clicked all your "thankyou" buttons. ATB.