How can I identify the mobile number from my bank statement?

Carlsdad

Hello. My wife and I both have a monthly account with 3 phone. Today, we tried to make contact and couldn't because of the poor reception. This apart, I then discovered that the phone I am paying for is not the one I am using, but it seems that I am being debited, as is my wife with a monthly charge, both from my bank account. As a result of the poor reception and my wife being in hospital on palliative care, I have decided to cancel the contract and find a better provider, but have the problem of not knowing the number of the original  phone I registered. Is there any way I can locate the old number? I am in my 90th year, so simplicity would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. The phone I am using is on a Tesco Account, by the way.

On-the-coast

You have my sympathy in your various struggles. 

It can be difficult to find this information.   Are both monthly sums different?  If that’s the case I suggest you ring customer services from your phone and ask them to confirm the latest amount billed. Use that information to work out which payment is which. 

However…
don’t cancel the DD.  Make sure you go through customer services - on the other phone (they should allow you if you are the account holder?)

best wishes. 

Carlsdad

Many thanks. The DDs are identical (except for ID nos.) and I have just located the original registered phone. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be taking a charge, so the battery has probably gone south. Thanks for your help. 

On-the-coast

Trickier then…
probably worth talking to Tesco mobile customer service….
0345 301 4455

0345 is free on Tesco mobile. 

Call from whichever phone is working & start from there. They might be very helpful - or not!

you could always swap sims to talk from other phone - but that does require a very steady hand…

Neil49

I'm a bit confused with the reference to both 3 and Tesco mobile (who use the O2 network). Could you clarify who you are with. 

Either way, in order to cancel your contract I would just get a PAC from the current supplier and give this to the network you decide to move to. Using the PAC means that your contract with your current supplier ceases and your existing mobile number is transferred to your account with your new supplier.

Personally I would sort out the new contract first of all (ideally one with a monthly contract rather than annual in case the new provider is no better) to get it ready and then initiate the PAC process. Do one at a time in order to sort out your banking issues. 

Do you know which provider you intend to use?

To get a PAC you simply send a text message with the word PAC to 65075. The code lasts for 30 days. If you don't use it then nothing happens and you stay with your current provider and the existing contract carries on as before. 

PHK

Neil49 said:

I'm a bit confused with the reference to both 3 and Tesco mobile (who use the O2 network). Could you clarify who you are with. 

Either way, in order to cancel your contract I would just get a PAC from the current supplier and give this to the network you decide to move to. Using the PAC means that your contract with your current supplier ceases and your existing mobile number is transferred to your account with your new supplier.

Personally I would sort out the new contract first of all (ideally one with a monthly contract rather than annual in case the new provider is no better) to get it ready and then initiate the PAC process. Do one at a time in order to sort out your banking issues. 

Do you know which provider you intend to use?

To get a PAC you simply send a text message with the word PAC to 65075. The code lasts for 30 days. If you don't use it then nothing happens and you stay with your current provider and the existing contract carries on as before. 

Possibly the 3 is a typo and it’s should say “with a phone”

I think there are probably two contracts which the OP believes are for themselves and their wife so needs to know which one to cancel. 

As you say, the easiest way to do this is by texting from the handset to get a PAC

Carlsdad

Sorry about the delay in replying, but my wife was taken into hospital with a ruptured blood vessel, and only came home yesterday. I have been unable to contact her most of the time. Dreadful. To get back to my question. Seems like the phone which I have is indeed on 3 as is my wife's. I have just now attempted to initiate the leaving process, but I am concerned that 3 now want me to re-register before I can access my online account. Would this mean that I would start a new contract? I don't want to hinder my chances of leaving.

Neil49

Carlsdad said:

Sorry about the delay in replying, but my wife was taken into hospital with a ruptured blood vessel, and only came home yesterday. I have been unable to contact her most of the time. Dreadful. To get back to my question. Seems like the phone which I have is indeed on 3 as is my wife's. I have just now attempted to initiate the leaving process, but I am concerned that 3 now want me to re-register before I can access my online account. Would this mean that I would start a new contract? I don't want to hinder my chances of leaving.

My initial thought is, do you need to access your online account with 3 for anything? 

Once you have obtained your PAC (by simply sending a text message from your phone as previously described) you are well on your way to leaving them and taking your existing phone number with you.

Once your new provider has used the code your account with 3 for that particular number will cease. Remember to use it within 30 days otherwise your account with 3 will continue to exist and they will continue to bill you as before.

savergrant

Carlsdad said:

Sorry about the delay in replying, but my wife was taken into hospital with a ruptured blood vessel, and only came home yesterday. I have been unable to contact her most of the time. Dreadful. To get back to my question. Seems like the phone which I have is indeed on 3 as is my wife's. I have just now attempted to initiate the leaving process, but I am concerned that 3 now want me to re-register before I can access my online account. Would this mean that I would start a new contract? I don't want to hinder my chances of leaving.

Hi. Are you all sorted?
Reading your posts I am a little confused as to how many phones/sims you have/are paying for. On the direct debits who does it say you are paying? Is it possible that one or more phone contracts are also going out of another account (possibly your wife's?)
Does your phone tell you that you are using the Three network? Tesco mobiles connect to o2 so that is a source of confusion. It could be a good idea to search the house for any mobiles and then see if they have a sim (like a bank card chip) in them. You may need someone with younger fingers to help with this. If the mobile will turn on you can type a text "pac" and send it to the number 65075. If the phone is still active you will get a reply (maybe two) within seconds containing a three letter and six number code and advice about ending your service. Don't tell anyone the numbers but people on here will be able to tell you the network from the three letters at the start 
If you find a deal which suits your needs you can move your main number to it then use a similar process called STAC to close your other accounts.
Do you use Internet on your phone away from home? How many minutes of calls do you make on average each month? Do you have a phone which works? Same questions for your wife 

mgfvvc

Carlsdad said:

... I am concerned that 3 now want me to re-register before I can access my online account. Would this mean that I would start a new contract? I don't want to hinder my chances of leaving.

Registering online does not create or renew a contract. It just provides online access to your account.

Carlsdad

Thanks for all the helpful posts, but I have not been able to reply because of my wife's current health concerns. As it is,  our son-in-law (lives not far away) is calling round to sort this out for me. He is with BT, and I shall probably be moving to them. Thanks for the PAC information. About time something was done to put a stop to the obstacles which 3 put in peoples' way. Our son-in-law had terrible problems leaving them. Took weeks, but that was about 3 years ago. I'll come back when it's all sorted.