Park/Retain a Mobile Number

Terrysdelight

Hi
I've had the same mobile number for 25 years and I don't want to change it.  However, I am being pestered by someone - have done the usual blocking number but the person is still getting through to me using different numbers.  Have even blocked unknown numbers but messages are still being delivered to my phone.

If I was to stop using my number for a couple of months, how can I keep my phone number?   Are there any ways that I can do this? 
Currently I am on a very cheap sim only deal, so it's not the end of the world to keep paying - but I do really want the number to be shown as 'not in service', rather than 'this phone is currently switched off'.

Any ideas welcome.

DoaM

Not sure that's possible. Typically a number will return to the provider after 6 months of inactivity - at that point it is then available for them to assign to a new customer.

Keep blocking the numbers and deleting the messages - they'll eventually get bored if they can see that you're ignoring them and not letting it bother you.

Browntoa

Android phones normally allow you to block all Incoming calls. Doing that keeps the SIM card live .

A dual SIM Android phone would allow you to use your temporary SIM card as well , set the new SIM card to receive calls only , set the old sim card for outgoing calls only ( so friends can see it's you) 

Terrysdelight

DoaM said:

Not sure that's possible. Typically a number will return to the provider after 6 months of inactivity - at that point it is then available for them to assign to a new customer.

Keep blocking the numbers and deleting the messages - they'll eventually get bored if they can see that you're ignoring them and not letting it bother you.

This person is tonto!  He will be getting pleasure at seeing his messages are still being delivered.  Messages are blocked, but they are still delivered to my phone and he will be seeing a 'delivered' report.  It's about control, if anything, he is simply letting me know he can still contact me and that I haven't actually changed my number.

My landline number is being changed and I have deactivated my Facebook account.

Browntoa

My method makes it appear that the SIM is never actually turned on 

Terrysdelight

Browntoa said:

Android phones normally allow you to block all Incoming calls. Doing that keeps the SIM card live .

A dual SIM Android phone would allow you to use your temporary SIM card as well , set the new SIM card to receive calls only , set the old son card for outgoing calls only ( so friends can see it's you) 

My phone is an android.  I have a very cheap sim only deal, so I am happy to pay the costs and not use the phone for a while.  I just don't want this horrible person to get pleasure that he still knows my numbers.   I guess realistically, I will just have to change my mobile number too :-:smile:

Terrysdelight

Browntoa said:

My method makes it appear that the SIM is never actually turned on 

Excellent.  I will give that a go.  Thank you.

RumRat

You can also block text messages from individuals and unknown numbers.

Terrysdelight

RumRat said:

You can also block text messages from individuals and unknown numbers.

I know I can.  I have already done this but the messages do still get delivered to my phone.
I believe he gets a report saying message delivered.   I am trying hard how to stop my phone from sending the delivered report.  The settings I have found seem to apply to the sending of my own text messages, not 'requests' for delivery reports on incoming messages.

tronator

https://www.gov.uk/report-stalker

DoaM

Are these SMS messages? (i.e. "texts") .... https://sendsms.global/blog/delivery-report-for-text-messages/

Contrary to popular belief, text delivery reports do not actually mean that a text message sent by you was successfully delivered to the recipient—rather, it just confirms that the message was sent successfully from the device.

So you may be fretting over nothing ... no matter what you do, he/she may well still believe they are getting through.