VODAFONE: re-using old numbers, selling customer data

visidigi

I had an old number, if its a spam form or insurance quote form etc I put my old number in there, I only recently found out some poor soul has been given my old number...

whoops.

Intasun32

I was first given to believe that the ''quarrantine'' period was always 18months, then due to large turnover of numbers this was reduced to 9 months and then to 6 months. This seems a fair time to clear any old customers contacts but sadly not all the networks play the game as I was to find out.

My one and only contract with Vodafone started with calls for the previous owners within two hours after I activated the sim. Not just one person but several different callers. I called VF and asked to change the number due to the calls but they wanted to charge £50. As I'd only been a customer for a few days I wasn't prepared to pay, I asked how long the number had been rested before it was reallocated to which I was informed 6 months. The same caller phoned at around 6pm daily, this time I told him that I had just been connected to the number and asked when was the last time he spoke to the person he wanted on this number. He told me it was his son's number and he spoke to him four days ago!!!!!

I sent a complaint e-mail and much to my surprise in the reply I was told that in some cases, when needed, numbers are reallocated in just a few days after disconnection. I was then given a free change of number.

The problem is any ''subscriptions'' that the previous owner had will still be sent and CHARGED to that number. There was the old explanation that the number was ''cleaned'' thus removing any subscriptions but this proved to be yet more ''porkies'' from the networks.

:beer:

Vodafone

Hi mamabuddah,

As both grumbler and Ann S have both stated, we do recycle numbers after a certain amount of time.

If you are getting calls that are for someone else then I will certainly be happy to help to get this resolved. I can understand how frustrating it must be.

If you could drop me an email to the address here with WRT135 FAO Heidi in the subject and include a link to your post with a contact number, I will get in touch.

Kind regards,

Heidi
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK