MC / Debit MC activations

[MrMahar]

So I tried to get this resolved with an agent as instructed in initial chat and opened a ticket. Was told Mastercard problems since last week, then CS agent asks me to change to an older postal code that doesn’t exist. Than tells me they’re no longer able to manually enter information due to privacy concerns. Any other new activations run into this problem?

[computergeek541]

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@dust2dust wrote:

I don't think that's 100% correct. For post-sign up, using a Vanilla branded prepaid visa gift card works fine. I found the MyVanilla branded did not. Others have used other cards.
As for at sign up, I don't remember reading people saying this didn't work.

As for support being able to set up an account and then you use a voucher afterwards, there was a recent reply from one of the "moderators" @computergeek541 that indicated that this is still possible.

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Get-Support/credit-card/m-p/1021454/highlight/true#M7...

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I have seen some hearsay that it can no lnoger be done (not saying that the information isn't right) but the only thing that I've been told directly was that CSAs are to activate accounts for customer who don't wannt to or are uanble to use a credit or debit card for payment.  

[dust2dust]

To be clear, I have not signed up an account with a visa gift card. I'm quite sure (not certain) that others have. I have used visa gift cards after signing up.
I agree it's crappy that they stopped allowing their own pre-paid vouchers to sign up accounts. They really seem to want to rope you in to using a credit card and then that forces the account into autopay.

It's troubling that your proper Mastercard isn't working either. You said both kinds of cards were from Simplii, right?|
And be aware that you can only make two attempts per hour.

[hTideGnow]

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@MrMahar wrote:

 

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HI @MrMahar 

yes, couple posts also mentioned about no vouchers for activation.  It is not good I think, many uses prepaid because they don't have a credit card (new immigrants or teens), vouchers are definitely easier

I remember  someone here mentioned he has been helping refugees who just landed, now he got stuck how to setup the new phones lines for them

[MrMahar]

Well I’m glad you’ve been lucky to not encounter a problem. The dozens of threads from folks having issues like myself is frustrating for something that shouldn’t be this difficult. There are a bunch of threads dated 2023 that state you cannot use vouchers, they are also non refundable.  So be a fools game to assume it would work when I’ve read from various diff sources they will not manually help you using vouchers. 

[dust2dust]

I don't think that's 100% correct. For post-sign up, using a Vanilla branded prepaid visa gift card works fine. I found the MyVanilla branded did not. Others have used other cards.
As for at sign up, I don't remember reading people saying this didn't work.

As for support being able to set up an account and then you use a voucher afterwards, there was a recent reply from one of the "moderators" @computergeek541 that indicated that this is still possible.

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Get-Support/credit-card/m-p/1021454/highlight/true#M7...

[MrMahar]

 

[MrMahar]

I’ve read the help articles where folks are unable to use visa gift cards to activate new plans also. 

[softech]

@MrMahar yes, PM support no longer helps with activation by vouchers. For those without CC or debit card,  Visa GC is the only workaround

[MrMahar]

I’ve read half a dozen articles stating vouchers cannot be used to activate new plans. Only to top up minutes. I’m trying to set up a new activation not put minutes on an existing account. 

[Chalupa_Batman]

As other members have mentioned, for some reason Simplii MC's have had payment and set up issues. Can't explain it. I myself had issues with that MC with other companies. I switched to the PC Financial MC and never a problem ever. My suggestion to resolve this temporarily is to purchase some vouchers and pay for at least 3 months in advance till you get this cleared up.

Here is where you can purchase them. 

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/payment-voucher

Once again, this seems to be an issue with Simplii MC's and can not explain it. 

[MrMahar]

Did all that. Tried on three diff browsers since last night waiting an hour or more in between attempts. Safari, Firefox and edge. Also tried on app. Also deleted app and attempted there again. Same issue, still not resolved. 

[Chalupa_Batman]

OK. Try something else for us. Close your browser. Open it up again to a single window. Go into your settings and clear the history, clear the cache and clear the cookies. Close said browser. Wait that one hour and try to log in again and re enter all the information all over again from scratch. Let us know if that works. Sometimes entering credit card info can be a hit and miss because of the browser cache/cookie/history. I had that problem. Once I did that, everything was good as gold.

[dust2dust]

Simplii is one of the problem brands that others have experienced problems with here.

[MrMahar]

It is I’ve checked with simplii I’m starting to think public mobile doesn’t have their act together judging from the multitude of issues I see others having. 

[Chalupa_Batman]

OK. I think I understand now. Not really but doesn't make sense. You have to have a postal code for your credit card. So... with that being said...  call Simplii and ask what postal code they are using. Then wait that hour to try again and then everything SHOULD sync. 

[MrMahar]

The card has always and only been the current postal code and address. Have lived in same spot for 10 years

[Chalupa_Batman]

Dumb question. Did you move recently? Maybe when you enter your MC the postal codes don't match because Simplii MC doesn't have the correct postal code? Take a look at your MC invoice to see if the postal code is correct. You may want to call Simplii MC to confirm with them too. The reason I bring that up, my postal code was a big issue for years and still is. Canada Post set one for my apartment building while Google Maps uses a different postal code. I've tried for years to get Google to fix it and they refused. 

[MrMahar]

No he suggested I use an old postal code of my own but I don’t have one or one attached to address and cards. 

[hTideGnow]

Hi @MrMahar did the agent give you an old postal code to try?

I saw manu activation issue this week, not sure just MC or Visa

[MrMahar]

Simplii mc and debit mastercard

[MrMahar]

No didn’t work in end still payment failed. He suggested I use an older postal code though I’ve never had one but the one I’m using to activate plan 

[dust2dust]

Which brand of Mastercard Debit is that? We've seen earlier reports of some working and some not.

Also, you can only make two attempts per hour.

[Chalupa_Batman]

I just changed my MC number recently with no problems. My suggestion is to get maybe a pre paid Visa to take care of things till the MC thing is resolved. Or you can get the a few vouchers to pay your invoice.

[hTideGnow]

hi @MrMahar 

so did it work in the end?

I am curious you mentioned about an old postal code no longer exists, is that your old postal or ANY old postal code? of any code, what you used?