Phone number has been given away by my network without my knowledge or permission.

foggy_lad · 15-08-2016 09:58AM

lifeandtimes wrote: »

Why would they give you a free phone?

Seems like a genuine error and even so by a different provider,3 may give you some free credit for the trouble once its reversed but thats at their discretion and i certainly dont see them giving you a free phone

There are so many checks to be done before a port is put through that a genuine error is highly unlikely. Once a complaint is made and the port is found to have been unrequested by the holder of the number then the operator that requests the port should rightly be fined several thousand Euro for their negligence/incompetence.

cruizer101 · 15-08-2016 10:14AM

May be hard to get but I would also be looking to try get a list of all texts sent to your number as others have indicated various security texts could have been sent to your number even if you can get a list of the numbers that sent texts to your number during that period. Either way I would encourage you to follow up with ComReg it is an absolute disgrace that it was able to happen and there should be serious fines and reviews of how it did happen.

lifeandtimes · 15-08-2016 10:44AM

foggy_lad wrote: »

There are so many checks to be done before a port is put through that a genuine error is highly unlikely. Once a complaint is made and the port is found to have been unrequested by the holder of the number then the operator that requests the port should rightly be fined several thousand Euro for their negligence/incompetence.

Yes the operator who requested the port,in this case not the ops,they cant blanket stop a port request as customers are allowed switch providers at will,especially on ore pay as there is no contract,so in this situation it seems its not the ops network that made the error but another network...i switched providers 8 weeks ago,went into the shop,gave my number and they had my number on my new phone before the sales person had finished the sale.

I understand the op is aggrieved but this attitude of the compensation culture going through courts to get a big win against a big company is crazy.

His provider probably wont give him anything as it wasnt their fault and he could complain through comreg to the other provider who will fine the provider for whatever protocol wasnt followed but all he'll probably get is a written apology,certainly not a free phone

Chromosphere · 15-08-2016 10:57AM

foggy_lad wrote: »

Normally a text is sent to the number to be ported which contains a code which is supposed to be provided to complete the port. Sometimes this can be overlooked/ignored in a busy store.

A complaint to Three(Who are most likely blameless) and also to ComReg and the Data Commissioner should concentrate the minds of the people who are responsible for this.

That's my point though.
It shouldn't be possible to override or overlook it.

It should be a dialogue like:

Customer walks into shop:
Asks to move number.
Shop does whatever confirmations they usually do.

Porting system (agreed by all networks) then sends the customer a request like : "Hello, you have requested to move your number to another network. To confirm, text YES to 50000"

When the *system* (not the sales representative in the shop) gets that information, and confirmation it would then authorise the port.

Alternatively, a port shouldn't be possible without knowing the existing SIM card number. E.g. last 4 digits required to complete the port.

It simply shouldn't be possible to do what has been described by the OP. It's not like the technology isn't there to implement this! It should be easy.

gizmo555 · 15-08-2016 11:05AM

Chromosphere wrote: »

Alternatively, a port shouldn't be possible without knowing the existing SIM card number. E.g. last 4 digits required to complete the port.

Just ported my number to Lycamobile on their website, and that's more or less how they do it. To request the port, you have to provide the full 19 digit SIM card number for both the new Lycamobile SIM and the provider you're porting from.

Chromosphere · 15-08-2016 11:42AM

There should be a ComReg mandated standard way though. Not everyone is as careful.

PhiloCypher · 15-08-2016 01:20PM

Just to update . Went into the 3 store today with my complaint and they said they couldn't help me on their end and advised me to ring customer care. They offered to let me call them from there but went home to do it instead as the place was a furnace. So I go home and call them and explain my issue. they are just as baffled as the store girl is but said if i register a new sim under my number it should retrieve it. I activate and insert the new sim and the issue seems to be resolved . The girl suggests I register on three.ie and enter my details/pass word etc so if the other guy tries to re-register my number under a new Sim he can't(without my password). So foolishly thinking I'm back in business we part ways. Grabbing my house phone I try and call myself . It rings straight through to voicemail. I try texting . That goes through. So I rang them again to tell them I can't send or receive calls. After being put on hold for 15 mins I was informed they have forwarded my complaint to their technical team so they can resolve it and that they will get back to me in about an hour, and that a call from her supervisor will follow . In the time I've been waiting for that call they have since texted me telling me they have to investigate the case further and will update me in the next 24 hours.

I think they're ****ting themselves, they know they have ****ed up big time and that if it can happen to me it can happen to anyone due to their obviously shoddy standards and practices.

irishgrover · 15-08-2016 01:23PM

PhiloCypher wrote: »

.......

I think they're ****ting themselves, they know they have ****ed up big time and that if it can happen to me it can happen to anyone due to their obviously shoddy standards and practices.

I hope /wish this is the case, but am guessing that they simply have a.) no idea what is going on b.) don't really give a ****e c.) are just buying some more time to figure it all out....
Best of luck getting it all resolved.

drunkmonkey · 15-08-2016 01:25PM

See my first post, that was the quickest way to get it back and still probably is, you need the chap to give you the verification text and get a new sim in the store and port the number just as you were a new customer. You can worry about giving out later, just get your number back.
Surprised the store didn't do that you probably got someone clueless.

PhiloCypher · 15-08-2016 01:35PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

See my first post, that was the quickest way to get it back and still probably is, you need the chap to give you the verification text and get a new sim in the store and port the number just as you were a new customer. You can worry about giving out later, just get your number back.

I registered a new SIM under my number and I seem to be back on the network and can receive texts but calls are just ringing straight through to my voicemail. No forwarding of a verification text from the other chap seemed to be required. Which is maybe a problem, as from what the girl on customer care suggested is that I'm basically just taking back my number with as little warning as it was taken from me. Just like me , he might find he has lost access to the network through that number and will have to call customer care to resolve it or get a new sim with a new number .

15-08-2016 01:35PM

PhiloCypher wrote: »

I think they're ****ting themselves, they know they have ****ed up big time and that if it can happen to me it can happen to anyone due to their obviously shoddy standards and practices.

Have you actually read the thread? 3 are most likely blameless. Whichever network made the porting request are at fault, as they didn't verify the owner of the number

drunkmonkey · 15-08-2016 01:48PM

PhiloCypher wrote: »

I registered a new SIM under my number and I seem to be back on the network and can receive texts but calls are just ringing straight through to my voicemail. No forwarding of a verification text from the other chap seemed to be required. Which is maybe a problem, as from what the girl on customer care suggested is that I'm basically just taking back my number with as little warning as it was taken from me. Just like me , he might find he has lost access to the network through that number and will have to call customer care to resolve it or get a new sim with a new number .

The new sim would have a new number, something must be happening in the background or the other guy has it sorted at his side and had just left your sim out of a phone. Voicemail wouldn't be working unless you activate it I think.
It's a pity ye didn't come up with a plan together, if the number is on the ay back customer care should be able to tell you it's in process. Do they have your temporary number?

PhiloCypher · 15-08-2016 01:55PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

The new sim would have a new number, something must be happening in the background or the other guy has it sorted at his side and had just left your sim out of a phone. Voicemail wouldn't be working unless you activate it I think.
It's a pity ye didn't come up with a plan together, if the number is on the ay back customer care should be able to tell you it's in process. Do they have your temporary number?

I don't have a temporary number. The new Sim is registered under MY number the one I've held for 15 years. When people text MY number I receive the texts. However when people call MY number it rings through to MY voicemail

Bazzy · 15-08-2016 02:06PM

PhiloCypher wrote: »

I don't have a temporary number. The new Sim is registered under MY number the one I've held for 15 years. When people text MY number I receive the texts. However when people call MY number it rings through to MY voicemail

Could be a divert set up

Dial ##002# and press call on your phone

will cancel all diverts on your phone

drunkmonkey · 15-08-2016 02:10PM

Restart the phone as well could be in the process of porting

PhiloCypher · 15-08-2016 02:11PM

Bazzy wrote: »

Could be a divert set up

Dial ##002# and press call on your phone

will cancel all diverts on your phone

Couldn't if I wanted to . I can't call or receive calls from my phone .

Bazzy · 15-08-2016 02:15PM

PhiloCypher wrote: »

Couldn't if I wanted to . I can't call or receive calls from my phone .

Its not a call as such its a request to the network if you have signal to receive a text it should come through

PhiloCypher · 15-08-2016 02:29PM

Bazzy wrote: »

Its not a call as such its a request to the network if you have signal to receive a text it should come through

Just says connection problem or invalid mmi code

Pro Hoc Vice · 15-08-2016 03:12PM

PhiloCypher wrote: »

Just says connection problem or invalid mmi code

Have you switched the phone off and on again?

PhiloCypher · 15-08-2016 03:36PM

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

Have you switched the phone off and on again?

Yes .

Pro Hoc Vice · 15-08-2016 03:50PM

PhiloCypher wrote: »

Yes .

Sounds like its mid port, turn off phone leave it off for as long as you can i would do an hour then turn back on.

PhiloCypher · 15-08-2016 04:10PM

The other chap has obviously been disconnected at this point as I've received a text from his Gf asking him to text her back if he gets this . Told her her BF had been given my number in error and I was in process of correcting it. That he will likely have to get a new SIM with a new Number . Asked her what network was he on before , but all she could tell me was that he was on 3 now.

Pro Hoc Vice · 15-08-2016 04:12PM

PhiloCypher wrote: »

The other chap has obviously been disconnected at this point as I've received a text from his Gf asking him to text her back if he gets this . Told her her BF had been given my number in error and I was in process of correcting it. That he will likely have to get a new SIM with a new Number . Asked her what network was he on before , but all she could tell me was that he was on 3 now.

I the evil fun you could have had!

lifeandtimes · 15-08-2016 04:21PM

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

I the evil fun you could have had!

this thread has derailed from legal questions to tech support to creepy pranks

op hopefully thats sorted,regarding you are actual op and further questions no i dont see you getting anything other than possibly an apology from the other provider(but i think it was 3 all along if the other guys bf says hes with 3?) and your provider getting fined for letting this happen...and you will not hear anything about it as its all done in the background

However if it is your provider they could throw you some free credit as a good will gesture,i.hope thats what they do.

Legally however most if not all providers have in their terms and conditions that they own the number and arent liable for an consequential losses of earnings or wasted expenditure however arisen.

Good luck

Chromosphere · 15-08-2016 04:37PM

It's an incomplete port.

They can take a few hours do completely go through as it's a bit like changing DNS information. It takes a while for various databases to sync up.

Ring 1913 and explain your still having issues.
They'll sort it.

Sounds like someone has created a mess.

Make absolutely sure you register your number on three's website in case that guy attempts to port it back again.

pillphil · 16-08-2016 07:03AM

OP, is there any chance that you somehow got access to a time machine in the future and traveled back to the present day?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primer_(film)

nuac · 16-08-2016 09:37AM

pillphil wrote: »

OP, is there any chance that you somehow got access to a time machine in the future and traveled back to the present day?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primer_(film)

Mod
Thanks for that PP, but could we keep in the present time?.
Perhaps we could keep to the technical issues and any legal issues arising

foggy_lad · 16-08-2016 02:27PM

PhiloCypher wrote: »

The other chap has obviously been disconnected at this point as I've received a text from his Gf asking him to text her back if he gets this . Told her her BF had been given my number in error and I was in process of correcting it. That he will likely have to get a new SIM with a new Number . Asked her what network was he on before , but all she could tell me was that he was on 3 now.

So you were on 3 and he was moving to 3 and ended up being given your number by 3?

It is time to bring in ComReg and the Data Commissioner!

Little CuChulainn · 16-08-2016 05:36PM

Ring up customer service and keep escalating to superiors until you get someone who will take it seriously. This is a massive breach of data protection rules and extremely negligent. If they won't escalate you then tell them the matter will be with com reg and you will be consulting a solicitor. It's very possible this guy will do exactly the same as you and you will lose your number again unless they sort this out.

PhiloCypher · 17-08-2016 04:49PM

PhiloCypher wrote: »

Just to update . Went into the 3 store today with my complaint and they said they couldn't help me on their end and advised me to ring customer care. They offered to let me call them from there but went home to do it instead as the place was a furnace. So I go home and call them and explain my issue. they are just as baffled as the store girl is but said if i register a new sim under my number it should retrieve it. I activate and insert the new sim and the issue seems to be resolved . The girl suggests I register on three.ie and enter my details/pass word etc so if the other guy tries to re-register my number under a new Sim he can't(without my password). So foolishly thinking I'm back in business we part ways. Grabbing my house phone I try and call myself . It rings straight through to voicemail. I try texting . That goes through. So I rang them again to tell them I can't send or receive calls. After being put on hold for 15 mins I was informed they have forwarded my complaint to their technical team so they can resolve it and that they will get back to me in about an hour, and that a call from her supervisor will follow . In the time I've been waiting for that call they have since texted me telling me they have to investigate the case further and will update me in the next 24 hours.

I think they're ****ting themselves, they know they have ****ed up big time and that if it can happen to me it can happen to anyone due to their obviously shoddy standards and practices.

So to update . Tech support finally got back to me a day late and the problem of not being able to make/receive calls/texts seems to have been resolved . The matter is not however, as far as I'm concerned, so I rang customer services AGAIN and asked to speak to a supervisor. The guy proceeds to make me go through the course of events again, clarifying that the technical issue has been resolved. I tell him yes but that's not the point, there's been an act of gross negligence on their part and I demand to talk to a supervisor or ill go to comreg/solicitors/social media . At this point he goes off to see if he can find a supervisor. He comes back about 15 mins later to tell me one isn't available but that he has flagged my request and they are looking into the matter and one will be onto me when they know more. I told them that's not good enough, that I wanted to know when to expect that call , he told me tomorrow after 3 . So tomorrows D Day

Phone number has been given away by my network without my knowledge or permission.

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