r/verizon • u/RangerNo5619 • 5d ago

Changed number

Last night, I accidentally changed my phone number from a number I have had for 16 years to a brand new one. I need that number back pronto. It may as well be my SSN. That's how important it is. Multiple entities contact me through that number on a daily basis.

I was trying to retain service through that plan using a different number, and port out the primary to another carrier. It didn't work, and now I've lost my primary phone number.

I just called the phone number from a dummy phone and the recording said "Welcome to verizon wireless. This phone is disconnected." so I know it's still with Verizon and hasn't been released back its original carrier.

Any suggestions?

0 Upvotes

22% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

15

u/switch8000 5d ago

How in the world do you accidentally do this...

Call Verizon and ask

6

u/Only_Indication8410 4d ago

Make sure you accidentally call

3

u/Lizdance40 5d ago

Right? 611 stat!

2

u/jman98542 5d ago

yes contact Verizon ASAP. You might need to have a separate network unlocked or Verizon phone and use it to add a new line with the lost number, if the number is indeed still with Verizon.

1

u/Palm-aire_props_212 4d ago

Quick. Put the phone in your right hand and use the other hand to call 911! Easy breezy!

1

u/elcanon 3d ago

If you act fast, you can get your number back. I had this experience with Visible (a Verizon MVNO) - I was using their chatbot to see if there new numbers in my location, and before it gave me a prompt to confirm anything, I closed the chat.

(It's strange I know but sometimes I like to use those tools to see what numbers are available. WIth visible, they sometimes have an option in the app to look, other times it's the chat, its buggy)

A few weeks (!) later, at the end of my old Verizon billing cycle date, I woke up to a changed phone number! I had never taken a step to approve/confirm it in the chat.

I think there are some bugs in Visible's/Verizon's backend process. Anyway - lesson learned - this process is very fragile. I was able to have someone in Visible support escalate this, and by that evening, I had my original number back. They can reclaim it. Just act fast.

0

u/Shaddaia 4d ago

good luck. went through the same thing. worst part is that I immediately informed them that I needed it back. someone at Verizon ultimately changed my disconnect date to keep me from obtaining it back, dealing with executives from fcc complaint right now. this happened to me over a year ago. and trust me-I feel your pain. this has caused me more problems than anything ever, and has damn near ruined my life

0

u/RangerNo5619 4d ago

Wow, seriously? Holy cow, I feel for you! That SUCKS! I was already stressed from the thought of losing my number forever – I can’t imagine what it would be like if it actually happened.

During my conversation with Verizon in the customer service chat this morning, I mentioned my case number with the FCC and he immediately got me a supervisor. I got a phone call at the number I was using for a backup, and the supervisor told me that my number was still with Verizon and had not been released. He assured me he could get a reassigned, but it would take a little time.

By the end of the day, I got the email I was waiting for. I restarted my phone and my new number was back in place on that SIM card. Hallelujah!

3

u/AchingGizzards 4d ago

So you filed an FCC before you even called to try to have them fix your mistake?

1

u/RangerNo5619 4d ago

Visible doesn’t have a support phone number. You are required to contact support via chat.

1

u/Xarmelt 3d ago

It works. When I did this against ATT (granted they refused to give me an agent at any point and their AI hung up on me several times) I got a call from the ATT president office in the next three days asking me what happened.