Transferring a deceased's phone number/digital life to widow

kitslaw

Hi all, I'm making enquiries on behalf of my mother who was widowed two years ago just before the pandemic. In the midst of her grief and all the other death admin she took over my dad's mobile phone to use as her own and never informed the provider of his death. His old iphone is now on its last legs and she wants to upgrade but of course the contract is not in her name. I think he was with O2 and they seem to have a bereavement department and if she passes a credit check, which she should, it looks like she should be able to transfer the number into her name and set up a new pay monthly account. She's very anxious about doing something wrong and then not having this number so I wondered if anyone here had gone through this process or had any advice. Thank you. 

msb1234

I would have thought that they can’t do this due to GDPR? However, if the phone is out of contract, which if she’s had it for over 2 years most likely will be, then can she not just buy a different SIM card like GiffGaff and continue to use the phone? 

Carrot007

msb1234 said:

I would have thought that they can’t do this due to GDPR?

The dead do not get rights under GDPR.

(probably for this specific reason, of course many companies will cite GDPR to try and get rid of you though I don;t see why they would here if they want to continue to get money).

Marcon

msb1234 said:

I would have thought that they can’t do this due to GDPR? However, if the phone is out of contract, which if she’s had it for over 2 years most likely will be, then can she not just buy a different SIM card like GiffGaff and continue to use the phone? 

It's the number she wants, not the phone - OP says she wants to upgrade.

OP - if she's worried about losing the number, suggest to her that she gets a free SIM from any provider, adds £10 of credit and then ports over the number she wants to keep. Once that's been done, cancel the contract and look at getting the new phone she wants.