Using A Previously Used Number, Security Related Questions

[Zanten]

So for a bit of background, I first started using this Public Mobile phone number several years ago, when a former co-worker offered to sell me an old phone and its SIM card, since I was a bit of a Luddite insofar as phone usage. I've always topped off the account by buying the currency top ups, using 611 to add the funds, etc, etc, and generally haven't thought much about it. Not broke, didn't fix.

Anyway, just today I received a two-factor authentication request for Public Mobile's log in account. I haven't spoken to the person who sold me the SIM Card in a number of years, (he ended up ghosting me after owing me money,) and at the time he never even mentioned there was an online account at all. He's the only one I figure would even have the login details, but God only knows where he is.

Now, again, I've been using top up cards so I'm not worried about someone accessing payment information or the like. I am concerned about whether,

1) He can still get into the online account housing my phone plan without the 2FA, and,

2) If he CAN get into the online account, what if anything about the phone plan could he change, cancel, or otherwise damage that I can't undo from my phone. I've got a fair amount of other accounts' 2FA tied to my phone number, so if there's a chance it can be remotely hijacked from afar without warning I'd rather know now so I can get another number and start moving everything over.

[Zanten]

Went with just swapping to a new SIM/phone number, but just to clarify the phone was working fine. But I hadn't even been aware there was a Public Mobile online account tied to my Public Mobile phone number until I got the 2FA for someone logging into it today, several years after I got the used SIM.

So still had access to my phone number and texts just fine, but never had access to the phone through the website because he never mentioned having an account tied to it, and I was perfectly content topping it up with currency cards once a month. 

[Zanten]

Thanks for the advice! Ultimately decided I just wanted another cheap pay as I go, wasn't fussed about keeping the number. I keep pretty much all my texts, 2FA stuff included, so got a new SIM card, number and everything shuffled over in an hour or two. Thanks so much for the advice! 😄

[slusagm]

@Zanten 

you might want to keep your current phone number.  

what you can do is to port out the phone number to another provider like Koodo and Telus.    you can then come back to Public Mobile if you like.  But with that port out and possibly port back in, you can keep the phone number

Good luck

[Zanten]

Weeeeell he ended up getting fired from our workplace for stealing a lot of money and then a lot of debt collectors were calling our workplace for the next six months looking for him, sooooo while I can't think of any reason he would just randomly decide to cause trouble I'm probably better safe than sorry. Thanks for the recommendations, I think I'll definitely switch!

[Chalupa_Batman]

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@slusagm wrote:

@Zanten 

PM account is standalone, so your phone number would not tie in with another account, not another PM account

check with support to see if they can help you to get back the service.  Tell them you lost access to the current email login They will ask you couple questions, see if you can answer most of them.  

if that does not work, then yes, buy a new sim card and start new

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@Zanten I don't see anywhere you saying you've lost access to your account or your phone no longer works. Can you confirm?

[Zanten]

All right, thanks. As far as you know, should my phone usage at least be safe until my next payment date? The random 2FA has admittedly spooked the heck out of me, be really problematical if I lose access to text messages with no notice.

[Chalupa_Batman]

No Problem. Side note, and I HATE to even think this guy could be a bad actor, but depending on what phone it is and if he has the IMEI number, he could actually blacklist your phone as a lost or stolen. That I'd be worried about too. Side note, can this phone do eSIM? If so, you can always download an eSIM through the app. It's $5 for the first one and free after that. So even if he blacklists the phone, you can always get a new phone and just download the app, sign in and get a free eSIM replacement. Food for thought. OH sorry, do NOT buy it from Public Mobile. Best to do one of these links. WAY faster!

To get a new SIM card the fastest routes are these.

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/pick-up-SIM - Find a local store in your area.

Amazon - Here you can get it cheaper and maybe a few days wait $4.99

Or find a Mobile Klinik near you. https://mobileklinik.ca/stores/ 

[slusagm]

@Zanten 

PM account is standalone, so your phone number would not tie in with another account, not another PM account

check with support to see if they can help you to get back the service.  Tell them you lost access to the current email login They will ask you couple questions, see if you can answer most of them.  

if that does not work, then yes, buy a new sim card and start new

[Zanten]

I'm unfortunately going to have to get a new SIM card and number, then, the issue isn't that he accessed the account I posted with. Rather when he sold me the phone/SIM card he apparently neglected to mention he had it tied to some other online account. 😛 Were it not for the 2FA request I received I would have still been unaware of it, though why he's chosen years later to try logging in I have no clue.

I think I will get a new SIM and number ASAP to start moving stuff over, thank you for the speedy reply!

[slusagm]

@Zanten he can certainly login the My Account using email to receive the 2FA and update and change everything

so, ask PM to help to try to get back into the account

  Since you cannot properly login, you won't be able to open the preferred Chatbot ticket.  So, you will need to message them here:
       https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437

CS_Agent will reply to your community inbox between 9AM-10PM EST (Mon-Sun), check here:
      https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/privatenotespage 
        

[Chalupa_Batman]

1) He can still get into the online account housing my phone plan without the 2FA, and,

A) If he has the email address and password, yes, he can obviously. I'd suggest changing the email address and password ASAP.

2) If he CAN get into the online account, what if anything about the phone plan could he change, cancel, or otherwise damage that I can't undo from my phone. I've got a fair amount of other accounts' 2FA tied to my phone number, so if there's a chance it can be remotely hijacked from afar without warning I'd rather know now so I can get another number and start moving everything over.

A) He can lock you out by changing the email address and password and take over your account. As mentioned, change both now. Change all info under Profile. I'd even suggest changing your number as well so he has NO information at all.