Re-activating SIM Card, is it possible after 15 months?

[MdeA]

We have a SIM card that hasn't been used in since February 2024, so whatever phone number was associated with it is long gone. 

However, we thought we could use now the same SIM card to assign it a new plan and number, but when we enter the SIM number in the registration process, it says that is invalid.

Are we doing anything wrong?

Please, advise.

Thanks.

[BKNS27]

@MdeA

I am in the west coast and CCS arrived in 3 days for my last SIM.

[hairbag1]

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@MdeA wrote:

@BKNS27 we're in Calgary, thanks though.

Also, it is not only the SIM card we'd have to buy, but also a disposable/reusable credit card. We found out back  then, that the first time you register is not possible to pay with vouchers. After the first payment, yes vouchers are ok, but although we logged it with the same email is treating it as a brand new account...or so it looks.

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If you have someone in your circle of friends who has valid debit / credit card, you can use their payment card to activate your new account. As soon as your account is activated and working as expected, you can disable SUBSCRIBED (which is Autopay) and their payment card won't be used again...now you can use vouchers to re-up your plan every 30 days.

[hairbag1]

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@MdeA wrote:

@TheSterlinger we didn't do either (cancel or close)...just stopped making payments like 14 or 15 months ago.
Then, let me rephrase the question: how long after one stops payments, is the account closed or cancelled?

Thanks again.

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Once the payment fails...your plan had 90 days grace to re-up your current plan. After 90 days suspended...it's deactivated permanently.

[TheSterlinger]

90 days after no payments or available funds accounts are closed and the number is lost.

Adding, they are supposed to use Vouchers to activate accounts but many CSA refuse. 

You'd have to ask them directly through the chat.

[MdeA]

@TheSterlinger we didn't do either (cancel or close)...just stopped making payments like 14 or 15 months ago.
Then, let me rephrase the question: how long after one stops payments, is the account closed or cancelled?

Thanks again.

[TheSterlinger]

Immediately after the account is cancelled or closed.

[MdeA]

@BKNS27 we're in Calgary, thanks though.

Also, it is not only the SIM card we'd have to buy, but also a disposable/reusable credit card. We found out back  then, that the first time you register is not possible to pay with vouchers. After the first payment, yes vouchers are ok, but although we logged it with the same email is treating it as a brand new account...or so it looks.

[hairbag1]

@MdeA 

once your account was deactivated, the old number, sim and account is no longer usable. Now you need a new sim to start a new account and BTW...you must use a different email address for your new account.

[MdeA]

Hi @TheSterlinger , thanks for your reply.

When you say "SIM cards can only be used once.", after how long without using the card is that one first time use gone?

[BKNS27]

@MdeA 

PM SIM are on sale for $3 at Canadian Cell Supplies online since you can’t reuse the old SIM.

If you are in the Mississauga/Oakville area, you can arrange for pickup.

[MdeA]

Thank you @Dunkman for your prompt reply. In our case, we are not creating a new account (if by that you mean using a different email to login), so we're signing in again after 15 months to the same account and it quickly asked us to select a plan (which we did) and then to enter the SIM card number (the phone is not eSIM compatible). When we enter the number of the SIM card, it says that is invalid.

[TheSterlinger]

SIM cards can only be used once.

You'd need to download the Public Mobile App to your phone and purchase a new one.

However it will take from1-3 weeks to arrive and with a CP potential strike even longer.

Quicker from Amazon and only $4.99.

[Dunkman]

@MdeA 

Unfortunately, you can't activate a new account with a previously used SIM card.  You will need to purchase a new physical SIM card.  Or if your phone is eSIM compatible, you can activate with eSIM instead of physical SIM card.  Download the PM app on your phone to see if you can activate eSIM.