Can you get a PAC code if you've lost your SIM card?

ThisIsWeird

Lawdie, daughters...

She has managed to cancel her TalkMobile contract this morning, the one she hasn't used since she started travelling - currently in Aussie.

She requested a PAC code, but they said she couldn't have it since she's lost her SIM card. When pressed, they said she could trying emailing with some info (tho' a 'utility bill' whilst travelling is pushing it...) and that they could sort this.

I am at this very moment 'chatting' with TM trying to sort out this bonkers stuff. They have clearly accepted she's the account holder, as they cancelled her contract for her this morning - they wouldn't do that without accepting she was the holder, surely. But they want extra hoops to be jumped through to release the PAC code.

They have told me, no SIM = no PAC code. But then added if you email with ID, utility bill, and bank statement, they sort it. They haven't replied to how she can produce a utility bill whilst travelling through Aus.

Pedantic doesn't begin. :-(

Ayr_Rage

Surely if the contract has been cancelled then the SIM, whether lost or not can no longer be active.

Are you sure you can actually port an inactive number?

ThisIsWeird

Ayr_Rage said:

Surely if the contract has been cancelled then the SIM, whether lost or not can no longer be active.
Are you sure you can actually port an inactive number?

It was only cancelled this morning, and as part of that she requested the PAC code. Then the fun began.

It was 'inactive' only in as much as she hadn't used it for 3 months, but still paid the £7.95 each month for the account.

She's in Aussie, talking to them by 'chat', gave them the info they required to confirm it was her, and they dutifully cancelled her contract for her. "Er, and the PAC code?" Sorry, we can't do that since you've lost your SIM card. BUT, if you email, with ID, bank statements, utility bills...

I have been 'chatting' with them now for over an hour and a half, and I haven't got an answer for my final Q, "Please just answer - why is the information she gave TM this morning to CANCEL her contract enough to do that, but ISN'T enough to provide a PAC code?! That truly does not make sense. TM would surely not CANCEL someone's contract without being certain they were dealing with the account holder, so why the extra pain for the PAC code?"

The agent has had me on hold for another 15 minutes as they go ask their team...

AAAAAARGH!

Ayr_Rage

What I meant was that if the contract is cancelled the number is immediately deactivated and can therefore not longer be ported.

QrizB

This is no help at all for the OP, but for anyone else who finds themself in a similar position:

1. Report your SIM lost, then order a replacement to a UK address (eg. to the OP);
2. Put that SIM in a phone;
3. Use that SIM to order a PAC code by texting 65075;
4. Use that PAC to transfer your number to your new provider, which automatically cancels your account with the old one.

Anyrhing else leads to complications.

ThisIsWeird

QrizB said:

This is no help at all for the OP, but for anyone else who finds themself in a similar position:

1. Report your SIM lost, then order a replacement to a UK address (eg. to the OP);
2. Put that SIM in a phone;
3. Use that SIM to order a PAC code by texting 65075;
4. Use that PAC to transfer your number to your new provider, which automatically cancels your account with the old one.

Anyrhing else leads to complications.

I wish we'd done that!

They are 'seemingly' on the case, in a three-way betwixt here and Aussie... :-(

ThisIsWeird

Ayr_Rage said:

What I meant was that if the contract is cancelled the number is immediately deactivated and can therefore not longer be ported.

Well, they are suggesting that isn't the case, and there will be hell to pay if it is. Currently trying to sort on 'chat'...

flaneurs_lobster

This is EXACTLY what @PHK advised you not to do on another thread - you don't cancel the contract, you obtain a PAC and then use this to transfer the number to a new network and cancel the old contract.

Hope I'm wrong but I would imagine that number has gone back for recycling.

Ayr_Rage

ThisIsWeird said:

Ayr_Rage said:

What I meant was that if the contract is cancelled the number is immediately deactivated and can therefore not longer be ported.

Well, they are suggesting that isn't the case, and there will be hell to pay if it is. Currently trying to sort on 'chat'...

If the number is lost then I'm afraid it looks like it could well be down to your daughter as she asked to cancel the contract before even mentioning retaining the number, TalkMobile acted as instructed.

Good luck!

ThisIsWeird

Ayr_Rage said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Ayr_Rage said:

What I meant was that if the contract is cancelled the number is immediately deactivated and can therefore not longer be ported.

Well, they are suggesting that isn't the case, and there will be hell to pay if it is. Currently trying to sort on 'chat'...

If the number is lost then I'm afraid it looks like it could well be down to your daughter as she asked to cancel the contract before even mentioning retaining the number, TalkMobile acted as instructed.

Good luck!

Not really how it happened - I was paraphrasing.

Of course, you may also be right...

ThisIsWeird

Lawdie - 2.5 hours, and got nowhere.

Around in bludy circles.