When a number is not used anymore, the SIM is deactivated and the number is recycled. This article describes the different situations leading to a SIM deactivation.
Here's everything you need to know:
What are the reasons for deactivation?
What are the reasons for deactivation?
A SIM is deactivated in the following situations:
You transferred your number to another provider (port out)
The SIM is inactive.
Note: a SIM declared as lost or stolen is deactivated to prevent any illegitimate usage but its number is transferred immediately to a replacement SIM. For this reason, the information in this article does not apply to SIM cards that have been declared lost or stolen.
When is a SIM considered inactive?
When is a SIM considered inactive?
A SIM is deactivated when it has not been used in the last 6 months. To stop deactivation do any one of the following actions at least once every 6 months:
Make at least one call, SMS or MMS to another number (not including calls to emergency services or Member Services or 0800 numbers or texts/calls to free rated numbers);
Make at least one connection to the internet using your mobile data
Make at least one Airtime Credit or plan purchase
These conditions are present to prevent the deactivation of members SIMs who have very little activity or who are active on the Community without using their SIM much.
If your SIM is disconnected, you will lose any remaining Airtime Credit and/or plan balances and also the phone number on your account.
giffgaff recycles phone numbers and we will not be able to reconnect once your number is disconnected and recycled.
giffgaff may reconnect you if any disconnection was due to our negligence.
For more information please see the terms & conditions on Cancellation Rights.
Is it possible to reactivate my SIM?
Is it possible to reactivate my SIM?
Once a SIM has been deactivated, it's not possible to reactivate it. Moreover, deactivating the SIM returns the phone number associated with it to the pool of available phone numbers. It is therefore impossible to keep the phone number associated with a deactivated SIM.
When a SIM is likely to be deactivated for inactivity, we will send a first communication one month before the deactivation of your SIM. If there is still no activity with this SIM a second email is sent roughly 5 days before to warn the member they only have a short time left to act. If none of the necessary actions to keep the SIM active are performed then the SIM deactivation procedure will be initiated.
A member is able to request a PAC code from our agents within 30 days of being disconnected.
Will my account be deactivated?
Will my account be deactivated?
When your SIM is deactivated or you port out, it does not affect your giffgaff account so you can still be part of the Community. Your giffgaff account will act in the same way as it did before you activated a SIM.
If you activate a new SIM, you'll be able to register it with your existing giffgaff account during the activation process.
What will happen to my existing credit?
What will happen to my existing credit?
Any credit available on your SIM at the time of deactivation is lost if more than 30 days have elapsed since the number deactivated, as per the Terms and Conditions. This credit is not refundable so we advise to use it before the deactivation of your SIM. Within 30 days a member can apply for a credit refund, but they must have a card of some kind.
What will happen to my payback points?
What will happen to my payback points?
As per the Terms and Conditions, accrued payback points are lost when the account becomes inactive, or when you port out.
If you don't hold an active SIM when the payback payment starts, you are not eligible to receive payback.
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