New Member
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7 Messages
Prepaid number reactivation!?
Hello, dear people!
I see this topic was discussed multiple times earlier, but I would really like some knowledgeable and experienced AT&T employee to answer me. And I would like to hear 100% valid information. It is really important to me. PLEASE!
I'm outside the US for several months, and a month ago I received an e-email from AT&T, saying that my number is deactivated, without any previous warning. I couldn’t receive any eventual SMS (if) you sent to me, since I am using a prepaid plan, which does NOT include any service while abroad.
I have been using that phone number for almost 10 years, and it is of great importance to me to keep it, since it is connected to all my bank accounts and credit cards. I will desperately need it as soon as I come back to the USA.
I spent hours on the (international) call with AT&T customer care representatives, but unfortunately each of them told me different version of the solution, and none of them worked so far. And none of them told me that is impossible to do, as some of people here on forum say.
Actually, I did exactly what one phone agent told me: I sent my friend in NYC to visit AT&T store with my personal signed authorization letter and copy of my ID, with my account number, e-mail address, log-in password.. but they said they need my original ID, not a copy. (?!) And I will send it. Next week my friend will go there with my real ID as a proof, but somehow I'm afraid it will not work.
Please, tell me dear AT&T people, I beg you:
Is it possible to re-activate deactivated prepaid number at all? It can't be that hard to answer this: All I need is Yes or No.
And if yes, what should I do, who should I address for that?
How long after deactivation, my old number can be sold as a new one to a new user?
Thank you very very much!
Best regards,
M.G.
Accepted Solution
Official Solution
sandblaster
ACE - Expert
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62.9K Messages
6 months ago
Another reason for deactivation is a $0 balance. A prepaid account is automatically closed if the account balance is $0 for more than 60 days. If your balance expired and stayed at $0 for more than 60 days, that would also explain why it was closed.
As for pay per use plans, as noted they are no longer available. Only customers that still have them are allowed to keep them. Even if you are somehow able to get your number back, you won’t be able to get a pay per use plan.
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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105.5K Messages
6 months ago
If it was canceled a month ago, no.
I can't imagine how someone else showing up with your ID is going to resolve the problem because that person will not match your identification and there's no way to authorize a secondary person on a prepaid account.
Your phone, with its SIM card is not in the United States so can't send a text to authorize.
AT&T discontinued pay-per-use plans in January and has canceled accounts starting in May for those who were no longer connected to the network or connected to the network but disconnected because they had an incompatible device. I'm not quite sure why it took until a month ago for them to disconnect you, but it did.
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gligorij
New Member
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7 Messages
6 months ago
Well, my friend is flying to NYC in a few days from Europe, and I'll give her my SIM card and phone ..if that could help..
I mean, I know it sounds odd, but a guy in the sore told us to do that..It wasn't my idea...
Also I used to put some money on pay-per-use account online few months ago, but after that I forgot to check it.. maybe that postponed deactivation...or not...
Why in the world did they cancel pay-per-use plans?! That doesn't make sense at all..
There must be something similar instead.. I hope...
Or maybe it's the time to change service provider...
(edited)
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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105.5K Messages
6 months ago
Because they don't produce profit.
Totally does. Verizon discontinued pay per use many years ago.
Not from AT&T. Tello has a$5 per month plan.
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ATTHelp
Community Support
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210.5K Messages
6 months ago
Hello, @gligorij. Thanks for reaching out about your prepaid account.
Thank you, @sandblaster and @formerlyknownas for your accurate and helpful information about prepaid accounts closing after 60 days of inactivity.
This information is available in the terms and conditions of prepaid service.
For more assistance while you are currently out of the country, call +1.314. 925.6925 anytime. It's a free call from your AT&T wireless phone.
We hope this information helps!
TT, AT&T Community Specialist
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gligorij
New Member
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7 Messages
6 months ago
Hello Mr. AT&T Community Specialist.
Sorry, but I can not call any number from my AT&T wireless number. As I said - it is deactivated. That is the whole problem! :D
And even if it was still active, I was on a prepaid plan, and AT&T doesn't provide any service here in Europe at all.. No SMS, no call! Radio silence!
In fact that's the issue that caused my problem..If I was able to get message that said my number will be deactivated, I would definitely react immediately.
So, unfortunately, your post did not help at all. :(
...And I don't know why have I just received a message that says your answer is accepted as a solution, because you did not provide me a proper answer.
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ATTHelp
Community Support
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210.5K Messages
6 months ago
Thank you for the response, @gligorij.
We understand how important it is for you to keep your number. As stated above, if your Prepaid account has been at a $0 balance for 60 days or longer, we cannot re-establish your account. Once that 60 day mark has been met, you lose your number.
Also, your friend will not be able to re-establish your account as they are not the account holder, and because you can not re-establish your account after it's been cancelled after that 60 day may. It will be best to open a new Prepaid account when you are back in the U.S. and set up autopay to keep your account active.
Thank you again for reaching out to AT&T Community Forums. Please feel free to reach back out with any other questions or concerns.
Clarissa, AT&T Community Specialist
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gligorij
New Member
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7 Messages
6 months ago
Thank you so much Ms. Clarissa, I really appreciate you answer. Finally very clear and straight-forward information.
But my account is still active.. I log in with my e-mail address and old password, only my phone number is deactivated. And when I log in, system asks me to register another number.. or to check other AT&T services..
Also, I am pretty confused because your phone agents keep saying different story.
I've just had a call with AT&T representative, 10 minutes ago, literally. And he checked my number, and told me that my account can still be reactivated, but I just need to make a minimum payment. He said he is 100% sure about that! :D
I'm gonna try anyway..I don't have a choice..
I'll let you know what's happened, guys.. if anyone cares :)
(edited)
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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105.5K Messages
6 months ago
So make a refill payment...
If the account is still viable they will be able to make a refill payment.
But I suspect they are incorrect if you have received an email deactivating your account a month ago
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gligorij
New Member
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7 Messages
5 months ago
So, my friend travelled to US and tried to do it for me.
She was bringing my ID, my SIM card and written permission with my signature. She was in official AT&T store, speaking with upper manager. And he totally understood what we are trying to do, and he confirmed that we could reactivate my number.
He gave her a new SIM card though and told her to activate it, but allegedly it was supposed be activated by AT&T customer service representative. So another call with a customer care..uhhh.. When my friend told me that, I was like - No way! I can't call them again. I'll just activate it online..That should be very simple.. And it was.. I used all data and numbers that were on the new SIM card kit, chose the new prepaid plan, paid with my credit card, and I was smiling - it was activated! But... ... some new random phone number was written next to my plan! :D Completely new number..Not my old one! ?!?!?! (Edited per community guidelines)! I was so angry.. I mean, the whole hustle for nothing.. I could buy a new random number anytime..:D
So, we didn't do anything, and I wasted $32...
Maybe I was wrong 'cause I activated SIM card online instead of calling customer care, but I doubt..probably it wouldn't work anyway..
So I had to call AT&T again to ask them to return me my money..
And btw. guy on the line was really polite, and he was persuading me that my old number could still be reactivated..and that I just need to go to AT&T when I return to the coutry and pay for a plan..100% .. :)
Oh... my... God...
:)))))
(edited)
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