problems with prepaid phone plan with new simcard
February 1, 2018 1:47 PM Subscribe
I just moved from USA to Denmark, and I am having phone problems that are driving me insane and draining my bank account.
I have tried to register two different Lebara SIM cards since I arrived. I bought these cards at separate local convenience stores.* The SIM cards did not work when I simply put them in the phone and turned the phone on. No numbers were reachable, not even the Lebara toll free lines. So I went onto Lebara's website to register the phone numbers that were attached to the cards. In both cases, the website refused to accept the phone numbers, saying that they were invalid numbers. I followed the website's instructions to the letter, including the correct number of digits and DK country code as indicated. The Lebara help line is (obviously) unreachable. Online chat help does not actually seem to exist, despite the site's claim. I even Facebook messaged them but got no response. I have no idea why these numbers are deemed invalid when they're fresh out of the box.
*(The second time, I wanted to try a Lycamobile card but BOTH of the convenience stores have only had Lebara in stock.)
Verizon, my old provider, assured me on two separate occasions that my phone is unlocked. But the guy at the local mobile store tried his sim card in my phone and concluded that it is, in fact, locked. I was so angry (and jet lagged, and disoriented) that I spent 250 dollars on a second, local phone. Then I tried both of the Lebara Sim cards in that one, but they still have no cellular contact whatsoever. Now I'm afraid that the guy at the store was wrong and I wasted 250 dollars.
I also tried to get an actual cellular contract with Telia. But they told me that until my provisional CPR number becomes a real CPR number with a 'yellow card' to back it up, they would not sell me a mobile plan.
So two prepaid cards in a row are not working, not even on a locally purchased unlocked phone. And I am unable to get a contract until I get an actual, physical 'yellow card', which could take another month.
I am SO fucking pissed off, I feel like I'm about to go crazy. I have no idea what to do about this. Any suggestions?
I have tried to register two different Lebara SIM cards since I arrived. I bought these cards at separate local convenience stores.* The SIM cards did not work when I simply put them in the phone and turned the phone on. No numbers were reachable, not even the Lebara toll free lines. So I went onto Lebara's website to register the phone numbers that were attached to the cards. In both cases, the website refused to accept the phone numbers, saying that they were invalid numbers. I followed the website's instructions to the letter, including the correct number of digits and DK country code as indicated. The Lebara help line is (obviously) unreachable. Online chat help does not actually seem to exist, despite the site's claim. I even Facebook messaged them but got no response. I have no idea why these numbers are deemed invalid when they're fresh out of the box.
*(The second time, I wanted to try a Lycamobile card but BOTH of the convenience stores have only had Lebara in stock.)
Verizon, my old provider, assured me on two separate occasions that my phone is unlocked. But the guy at the local mobile store tried his sim card in my phone and concluded that it is, in fact, locked. I was so angry (and jet lagged, and disoriented) that I spent 250 dollars on a second, local phone. Then I tried both of the Lebara Sim cards in that one, but they still have no cellular contact whatsoever. Now I'm afraid that the guy at the store was wrong and I wasted 250 dollars.
I also tried to get an actual cellular contract with Telia. But they told me that until my provisional CPR number becomes a real CPR number with a 'yellow card' to back it up, they would not sell me a mobile plan.
So two prepaid cards in a row are not working, not even on a locally purchased unlocked phone. And I am unable to get a contract until I get an actual, physical 'yellow card', which could take another month.
I am SO fucking pissed off, I feel like I'm about to go crazy. I have no idea what to do about this. Any suggestions?
How old is the phone? Some old Verizon phones does not work with the mobile network in Scandinavia.
posted by Rabarberofficer at 5:02 PM on February 1, 2018
posted by Rabarberofficer at 5:02 PM on February 1, 2018
I don't really understand how the two phones didn't work - the only common factor there is Lebara. Try a different SIM, I know the proper phone companies are a pain there, but I used lycamobile when I was there and it is basically the same type of carrier as Lebara. Try seeking that out.
posted by ryanbryan at 2:14 AM on February 2, 2018
posted by ryanbryan at 2:14 AM on February 2, 2018
Go back to the local mobile store and say your phone isn't working. They should be able to help you out. Potentially you could get a refund on the phone if it's the wrong type for some reason.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:03 AM on February 2, 2018
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:03 AM on February 2, 2018
Yes, go to a phone store. If in Copenhagen, a phone store on Nørrebro.
posted by mumimor at 5:12 AM on February 2, 2018
posted by mumimor at 5:12 AM on February 2, 2018
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posted by humboldt32 at 2:41 PM on February 1, 2018 [1 favorite]