Expired number/account due to low usage

xander1000

I paid several hundred pounds to buy a personal number for my son, who is only 9. It came on a giffgaff SIM and all worked well. I have just realised that he was not aware of text messages from giffgaff saying that due to lack of use the number would expire on 21/9/19. This was supposed to be his number for life and he specially chose it. How can we get it back into life? We don't even seem to have an account anymore to log into or ask anyone for help. Thanks

natty88

xander1000 unfortunately if number was not topped up its deactivated due to none usage of services after 163 days as shown here and can't be rdissued to son again Sorry

number recycling and none usage https://giffgaff.com/help/articles/why-is-my-phone-number-deactivated

various_mm

xander1000 I paid several hundred pounds to buy a personal number for my son, who is only 9. It came on a giffgaff SIM and all worked well. I have just realised that he was not aware of text messages from giffgaff saying that due to lack of use the number would expire on 21/9/19. This was supposed to be his number for life and he specially chose it. How can we get it back into life? We don't even seem to have an account anymore to log into or ask anyone for help. Thanks

like most of the other providers a unused sim is automatically deactivated. once that happens the number is lost too

here is more info you might find useful
https://giffgaff.com/help/articles/why-is-my-phone-number-deactivated

nigelbrooks

xander1000

You have lost several hundred pounds I am afraid.

To comply with the OFCOM requirements to disconnect and recycle unused numbers all mobile networks will disconnect numbers and accounts where they remain unused for a specified period. Some networks do this after 90 days, giffgaff all 186 days.

giffgaff send two messages prior to disconnection, which is irrevocable. Once a number is disconnected and thrown into the recycling 'pool' no operator can retrieve it and it will be re-issued at random in 6-12 months time.

Sorry, but the is absolutely nothing that you can do to recover the number.

usmahn123

if the sim has not been used within a 6 month period then it deactivates

https://giffgaff.com/help/articles/why-is-my-phone-number-deactivated