Any Recourse When A Company Refuses To Release Your Cell Phone Number For Transfer?

[ShotgunSteven]

I recently tried to change cell phone providers. I went to the company I wanted to change to and asked if I could transfer my number over to them and use it on a pre-paid phone. The guy checked with the higher-ups and was told yes. After putting the paperwork in, it turned out they couldn't, that there is in fact no transferring of numbers between regular and pre-paid service.

I decided to ditch the pre-paid idea and go with monthly service, so they re-filed the paperwork to have the number transferred over. This time my current provider told the company that does the transfers that my number could not be released, as it was one of their pre-paid numbers. I found that hard to believe, since I have had that number with them before they ever even OFFERED pre-paid service, and they also said there is no transferring numbers between pre-paid and monthly.

I went in today to pay my bill and I asked the girl at the counter to look up my number and see if it was listed as pre-paid. She said it was not, that they had specific number ranges for their pre-paid service and mine was not one of them.

Not sure what to do at this point. I really want to keep my number, but my current provider sucks. I get no signal in the middle of the damn city. Any agencies I can complain to, or should I try getting in contact with the higher-ups and calling them on their BS claim that my number is pre-paid?

 

[shiner]

Kick em in the nuts!

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: shinerburke
Kick em in the nuts!

If I knew where the higher-ups were, I might. Since the local office is staffed entirely by women, that would be a bit difficult.

 

[tm37]

They will make it very difficult for you.

PRE PAID is a bigger money maker than regular monthly.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: tm37
They will make it very difficult for you.

PRE PAID is a bigger money maker than regular monthly.

My current number was never used for a pre-paid account, though.

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: tm37
They will make it very difficult for you.

PRE PAID is a bigger money maker than regular monthly.

How do you figure? You can't go over on minutes on prepaids (usually), they aren't guaranteed a monthly income, etc. I'm not saying you are wrong but it doesn't add-up. Prepaid just opens the door to poor credit consumers... or cheap ones... either of which seem less likely to make more profit for companies?

 

[Pliablemoose]

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/NumberPortability/#whocontact

Who should consumers contact if they want to port their number to a new carrier?

Consumers should contact their prospective new carrier, who will start the porting process. The new carrier will first confirm the consumer's identity and then make a porting request of the old carrier. When consumers go to their new carrier to port a number, they should bring along a recent bill, which will have their correct name and address as it appears in the carrier?s database. This should aid in making the porting process go smoothly. Once a valid porting request has been made, the old carrier cannot refuse to port a number.

I would mention you're going to file a complaint with the FTC if they don't give you your number....

Link for doing just that is on the page I linked to.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/NumberPortability/#whocontact

Who should consumers contact if they want to port their number to a new carrier?

Consumers should contact their prospective new carrier, who will start the porting process. The new carrier will first confirm the consumer's identity and then make a porting request of the old carrier. When consumers go to their new carrier to port a number, they should bring along a recent bill, which will have their correct name and address as it appears in the carrier?s database. This should aid in making the porting process go smoothly. Once a valid porting request has been made, the old carrier cannot refuse to port a number.

I would mention you're going to file a complaint with the FTC if they don't give you your number....

Link for doing just that is on the page I linked to.

You rock! Thanks for the link.

 

[Shortcut]

Lock phasers and fire!