New Member
•
4 Messages
Moving Abroad - Keeping Phone Number
Hello,
I'm moving abroad in 2023 and was going to port my phone number to either Google Voice or Tossable Digits but an AT&T customer service rep said if I make a $100 deposit I can keep my US number until the end of 2023. It sounded a bit fishy. Is this legit?
What if I am overseas for a longer time?
Also my plan ends on Dec. 18th but I'm not leaving until Dec. 28th so am wondering about coverage for those 10 days.
Ideas?
Much appreciated
MW
Accepted Solution
Official Solution
formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
•
117.4K Messages
1 year ago
Nope! The AT&T Representative was absolutely wrong. You can't use the number if you park it with AT&T prepaid and the plan he's talking about no longer exists. Use Google Voice
The plan he is referring to is the pay per use plans which are no longer available to new sign ups because those plans were terminated in the beginning of January. On that plan you could refill the prepaid plan with $100 which was good for 365 days.
The $100 would sit in the account unused because you weren't using service and would be available when you return. Another refill before the 365 days Runs Out is required or the $100 expires and AT&T gets to keep it.
Bad deal for you.
Google Voice works in most other countries, you can continue to receive calls and texts on your number anywhere that Google Voice is accepted. You have to Port your number while you were still in the United States and while your number is still active. Google Voice charges a one-time $20 fee, continued uses free.
When you return, you simply Port your number back from Google Voice to a physical carrier.
(edited)
0
pdxberlin
New Member
•
4 Messages
1 year ago
Thanks formerlyknownas. I'm glad I checked. It sounded super fishy to me. I know Google Voice is cheaper but Tossable Digits has customer service but I'll go with one of those.
The other question I had -- My billing cycle ends on Dec. 18th but I'm not leaving until Dec. 28th -- what can I do to maintain coverage for those 10 days?
Thanks in advance!
0
0
ATTHelp
Community Support
•
231.9K Messages
1 year ago
Hey there @pdxberlin, we'd love to answer your question about maintaining coverage for an additional 10 days.
We want to thank our ACE @formerlyknownas for the helpful information they've provided as we do certainly agree.
Be advised, in order to continue with coverage for your plan, you'll need to pay for an additional month. We'd recommend moving to the $30 monthly plan that includes Unlimited Talk, Text, and 5 GB of data.
We hope this answers your question, and thanks for contacting the AT&T Community Forums for help.
Lynn, AT&T Community Specialist
0
0
formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
•
117.4K Messages
1 year ago
AT&T doesn't have a plan that will span just 10 days. So your options are either more than one week of bridge pay, bad deal. Or just sign up for the cheapest plan that will take you through 10 days. The $30 plan with 5 GB of data unlimited talk and text.
0
0
pdxberlin
New Member
•
4 Messages
1 year ago
Thanks Lynn -- it would be good if your customer service people had better training. The ATT person I spoke with insisted that if I deposit $100 it would not be taken by the company and would allow me to keep my number for a year
He also said for the 10 days I need between Dec. 18 and 28 when I leave the states I could pay $15 for five days and then $3/day for the remaining days for a daily plan that had talk and text but no data.
I'm glad I was suspicious of all this and did not agree to it. I asked the customer service person if they could send me some documentation about this to my email address and or provide me with a link that details these options. they said this was not available but that these plans were legit and the phone call was being recorded.
This type of erroneous information should not be given out to customers.
Best
0
0
formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
•
117.4K Messages
1 year ago
SMH
0
0
jhavand
Visitor
•
1 Message
5 months ago
Similar situation here. moving abroad for 1-2 years. I want to keep my current phone number and port to google voice. I don't want to pay for ATT US service while I am abroad. Do i have to cancel my ATT service?
0
0
pdxberlin
New Member
•
4 Messages
5 months ago
Hi - You need to port your phone number over to google voice. I think you need to do that before you cancel your ATT service. I first used Tossable Digits but they are more expensive and not as good as Google Voice, which charges a $20 one time fee -- and nothing extra for receiving or making calls/texts. Here's the link to the info on how to port: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667?hl=en
Good luck
0
formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
•
117.4K Messages
5 months ago
@jhavand
Porting cancels service. No matter where you port to
0