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O2 Classic PAYG Questions

I'm trying to help an elderly relative who I believe is on O2 Classic PAYG.
She had a balance of about £30 recently that is now down to just over £2 and I'm trying to help her find out why and to prevent it happening again in future.
She only makes the occasional call and data is switched off but does play games and puzzles that she believes are free.
Does anyone know if credit expires after a period of time. I have read elsewhere that it's not necessary to make a top up every 6 months, just a chargeable event. Is that correct?

Comments

  • Farway
    Farway Posts: 14,170 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Homepage Hero Name Dropper
    I'm trying to help an elderly relative who I believe is on O2 Classic PAYG.
    She had a balance of about £30 recently that is now down to just over £2 and I'm trying to help her find out why and to prevent it happening again in future.
    She only makes the occasional call and data is switched off but does play games and puzzles that she believes are free.
    Does anyone know if credit expires after a period of time. I have read elsewhere that it's not necessary to make a top up every 6 months, just a chargeable event. Is that correct?

    Correct. Are you sure she is still on Clasic PAYG just t in case she has done something.?
    You can view her O2 account to check, may need to sign up if not done so and needs mobile to hand
    Eight out of ten owners who expressed a preference said their cats preferred other peoples gardens
  • k_man
    k_man Posts: 1,636 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Also check call history on the mobile.

    Calls to non geographic numbers can be 50p/min plus.
    E.g. a call to a business on an 084x , with a few minutes on hold can make a big dent in £30.
  • virgo17
    virgo17 Posts: 966 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I'm trying to help an elderly relative who I believe is on O2 Classic PAYG.
    She had a balance of about £30 recently that is now down to just over £2 and I'm trying to help her find out why and to prevent it happening again in future.
    She only makes the occasional call and data is switched off but does play games and puzzles that she believes are free.
    Does anyone know if credit expires after a period of time. I have read elsewhere that it's not necessary to make a top up every 6 months, just a chargeable event. Is that correct?
    Agree with @Farway. Make sure she is on the 'classic' tariff. If on the standard tariff calls cost 30p/minute and texts cost 15p each. That would quickly eat into the original £30.

  • SpanishBlue
    SpanishBlue Posts: 604 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    According to O2's website, top-up vouchers expire after 12 months.

    I believe she bought a large value one just over a year ago as she was going into hospital and thought she might be using her phone a lot for a little while.
    I'll make sure in future she doesn't top up that way.
  • That's any unused voucher that's expiring after 12 months, not the credit that's been bought using it?
  • SpanishBlue
    SpanishBlue Posts: 604 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    That's any unused voucher that's expiring after 12 months, not the credit that's been bought using it?

    That's a good point, the website is not clear.
    But she did put on a large amount (£25 or £30) just over a year ago, so it did make me wonder if that was where the credit disappeared to.
  • zagfles
    zagfles Posts: 21,256 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Chutzpah Haggler
    Does she receive texts from these games/puzzles? Some services you can sign up to send you texts which you are charged for receiving. See https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-do-i-stop-unwanted-premium-rate-texts-a3WoY1S9jFjF


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