topic Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number! in Get Support

Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

pdunk — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:54:12 GMT

Help! Earlier today I received an SMS from Public Mobile saying 'welcome to public mobile'. Just now my phone number stopped working.

Has Public Mobile accidentally ported my active in-use phone number to a public mobile customer? Who can help me? This is an emergency, my phone has stopped working!

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

Meow — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:57:19 GMT

Everything could happen.

When somebody calls you, does your phone rings?

Can you call anybody and if yes, what number they see.

What your account says - what is your phone number?

If still have issues, contact agent ASAP.

- Send a private message to the CSA - agent by clicking Here

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

BKNS27 — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 01:00:02 GMT

@pdunk

It sounds like there might be an outage in your area.

Check the outage map:

https://istheservicedowncanada.com/status/telus/map

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

HALIMACS — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 01:01:55 GMT

First things first, @pdunk , I presume you are a current Public Mobile customer.

What do you hear when you dial *611?

Also, can you log into your self-serve account? If so, what messaging appears on the landing page?

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

pdunk — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 01:05:32 GMT

I was with PM, but last year I was forced to migrate to Koodo due to network changes in Manitoba. So my phone number is with Koodo now. Also, my SIM is completely out of service, I can't even dial *611

The earlier text message I received today saying 'welcome to Public Mobile' makes me suspicious that PM is trying to take my phone number

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

pdunk — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 01:06:21 GMT

No my other phone on the same network in the household is in service, unaffected

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

dust2dust — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 01:07:00 GMT

So you're actually with Koodo? I'd be asking them. Urgently.

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

HALIMACS — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 01:08:27 GMT

Interesting.

Then contact Koodo right away.

Did you receive no text whatsoever authorizing any transfer or providers? If so, reply "NO"

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

pdunk — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 01:08:52 GMT

I was originally with PM but was forced last year to migrate to Koodo due to network changes in Manitoba. My SIM is completely out of service. When I dial my phone number from another phone, I receive a network message saying my phone number is not accepting incoming calls. Help!

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

HALIMACS — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 01:13:19 GMT

OK, this sounds odd, @pdunk

Here's what I'd do if I were you -- call the number I'll private message you and explain the details to them.

It is a service dedicated to porting assistance. They are possibly able to associate the Koodo vs Public Mobile porting processes which may be happening.

To get message, check the envelope icon upper right.

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

pdunk — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 19:20:04 GMT

Here's what happened: I am told someone tried to port in my phone number (whether by typo or by fruad we may never know) and the system flagged the port request in a way that knocked out my service. I called Koodo and they initiated a process to have PM cancel something on their side and for Koodo to recover my number. I simultaneously added a port restriction on my Koodo account preventing my number from being ported away to another provider unless I call into Koodo and have the restriction taken off my account - password protected. This was highly disruptive and honestly if it's that easy to knock someone's phone service out by initiating a port-in request such as what happened to me - I would recommend everyone adding a port restriction on their account for peace of mind.

Re: Help! Someone is trying to take my phone number!

dust2dust — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 19:27:33 GMT

As expected it had been Koodo to deal with it. Unfortunately for here, all we have is an SMS notice that needs to be answered. I don't know of any port block. Some people put in fake names on the account as a bit of protection.

Glad you got it sorted.