Telecom refuses to disconnect old number

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Telecom refuses to disconnect old number

chrissie

156 posts

Master Geek

#73801 22-Dec-2010 17:47

A friend of mine moved house a month ago. The previous owner had a Telecom number and when he moved out, he didn't cancel his account and can't now be traced apparently.

TelstraClear is refusing to transfer the number my friend had at his old house, while the Telecom number is still active.

Both Telco's are refusing to help resolve the situation.

The result of this is that when Mike rings anyone, the number is reported as coming from the previous owner's number. If anyone tries to ring that number, it rings once and then cuts out. If anyone tries to ring his real number, the phone rings but there's no reply.

Is there any solution to this problem?

BlakJak

1330 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 735

Trusted

#420571 22-Dec-2010 18:01

If he can't be traced, noone will be paying the bill.

The guy needs to ring Telecom and not let up til he gets some help. If he can prove he is the legal tenant at the property (tenancy agreement will do it) that should be enough to convince them to nix the service.

Alternatively have him explain to telecom that his only recourse will be to ring the most expensive 0900 number possible and leave the phone off the hook for several hours. The bill won't be paid, of course....

No signature to see here, move along...

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80657 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41067

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#420575 22-Dec-2010 18:06

As said. The bill is running. If the previous owner won't pay, one day Telecom will disconnect it.

The problem will probably be that Telecom won't want to provide service on that address, thinking it's the same person - I'm joking here, but everything is possible...

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

NealR

428 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 20

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#420582 22-Dec-2010 18:26

If you provide me with your contact info and some details of the issue I will pass through to someone who will help.

Just send the info via GZ mail.

Neal

The comments I write on this forum do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer and as such cannot be taken as official statements of my employer.

chrissie

156 posts

Master Geek

#420590 22-Dec-2010 18:55

Thanks Neal - email sent. :)

michaelmurfy

meow
13581 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10914

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#420623 22-Dec-2010 20:17

Tazer them.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

crazed

484 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 26

Trusted

#420659 22-Dec-2010 21:30

had a similar problem to this afew months back, check with Telecom and find out if Telecom credit have placed a block on the line, This can block a new line being setup at a new address.

CraZeD,
Your friendly Southern Geeky Fellow :P

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#420669 22-Dec-2010 21:45

How did Telecom provision the new line at the address? Are there additional jackpoints for a 2nd line somewhere?

Morph

190 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#420723 22-Dec-2010 23:01

As with TCL , If we see a new tenancy agreement and can't get hold of the account holder than its an abandoned account and a easy disconnect .. Tho you could just go nuts rack up a big bill , Telecom disc's then you can do what you like :)

chrissie

156 posts

Master Geek

#420727 22-Dec-2010 23:14

Thanks for your help, everyone. Actually Mike bought the house, he's not a tenant. And his wife, who is actually the account holder, has already filled out various forms to get this dealt with. Telstra promised a resolution of the problem for last Wednesday, but it didn't happen.

Running up a 0900 bill might not be such a good idea. Telecom will know who did it and deliberately doing something like that, would get Mike in trouble, I'm sure.

Thanks to Neal, something is finally getting done though.

Morph

190 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#420741 22-Dec-2010 23:48

I'm taking this is on Homeplan?

pctek

807 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 157
Inactive user

#420873 23-Dec-2010 09:59

chrissie: Telstra promised a resolution of the problem for last Wednesday, but it didn't happen.

R.

ah of course.
it's bouncing around numerous people all over the company as usual.
Expect something to happen once it goes to Close Up. Again.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

NealR

428 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 20

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#420889 23-Dec-2010 10:22

Well, after reviewing the situation, it was even more complicated than it first appeared.

However, we have decided to authorise the line to be disconnected and we're in the process of having this actioned.

Neal

The comments I write on this forum do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer and as such cannot be taken as official statements of my employer.

timbosan

2199 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 294

Subscriber

#420896 23-Dec-2010 10:40

NealR: Well, after reviewing the situation, it was even more complicated than it first appeared.

However, we have decided to authorise the line to be disconnected and we're in the process of having this actioned.

Neal

Hi Neal, I know you probably cannot give the details, but how much more complicated could it become? Was the previous owner a drug dealer with the police taping the line or something ;-)

The mind boggles!!!

But well done on getting some action for the OP, good to see people like you helping :-)

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80657 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41067

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#420912 23-Dec-2010 11:04

Good job Neal!

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

chrissie

156 posts

Master Geek

#421051 23-Dec-2010 17:11

Thank you so much, Neal!