Financial Problems

[Anonymous]

Hiya folks,

I've run into a bit of financial problems of late and I don't know what to do.

I have had some previous bills for my contract carried over to the current bill that is due today (£120 total), but I cannot afford to pay this.

As embarassed as I am, I rang customer services today to discuss but the person on the phone was dismissive and not very helpfull.

I was hoping to split my bills, paying some now, (around £35) and the rest on my next payday.

I won't bore you with a sob story but I need my services up and running so I can stay in touch with a family member who Is pretty ill at the moment.

Not sure what to do guys, can anyone help?

All the best.

R1

[Anonymous]

talk to cs on 202 from your mobile as this is an accounts issue & we can't help much here, you will get a different advisor who maybe more helpful than the last one

[sheepdog]

Generally you'll get a no especially as its due now. Could you arrange an overdraft as that would be the quickest solution albeit, a short term one till payday? Other than that, perhaps a credit card payment?

[Anonymous]

I wish I could have an overdraft, but my account does not allow one. I also do not have a credit card, bad credit history.

I know I have got myself into this mess, not sure of a way around it 😞

Thanks for the replies so far folks.

[jonsie]

Because O2 have already rolled over some of your charges it is unlikely they will extend it for longer but it's worth calling again on the chance that they will split the charges over a couple of months for you. As long as you make some sort of payment they may possibly help. It's not in their interest or yours to start blocking the service and sending demands for payment if you are a making partial payment.

One option you may wish to consider would be to sell your phone and try to pay off the contract and buy a cheap P&G to tide you over until your circumstances improve.

[Anonymous]

Worse-case scenario - speak to Citizen's Advice Bureau (or any other reputable debt-advice body in your area) - they may be able to negotiate with O2 better than you can on your own.

jonsie's advice is sound though - if at all possible, sell up and go for PAYG so you can't get further into debt.   If you can't (or really don't want to) sell your existing phone, you may even be able to get a very cheap, basic PAYG phone - new or second-hand (or even scrounge an unused one from a mate - there are millions of old phones sitting in drawers) - and bung a £10 sim in that.   I'm not advocating avoiding or ignoring the O2 debt - just thinking of a way you can have a live phone for the next month at minimal cost if you are "disconnected" whilst you clear that debt.

[perksie]

Good advice from jonsie and pengipete, O2 sell a Pay and Go phone for £7.99.

[Anonymous]

---

@perksie wrote:

O2 sell a Pay and Go phone for £7.99.

---

Would(could?) there be any problems getting an O2 PAYG sim activated if the OP has an unpaid debt with them?   Might he need to use another provider?

Failing that, do you know how they actually "disconnect" a mobile phone?  If they only block the number, couldn't he just buy a PAYG sim from any provider and use his existing phone (that'd save a few quid) - or do they block the phone itself - perhaps using the emei number?   As above, would using an O2 PAYG simbe a problem or would he need to use another provider (assuming the phone is not locked)?

[perksie]

No moving to pay and go shouldn't be an issue.

As far as I know they only block the sim as the phone is technically yours from the day you start the contract.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies so far folks.

I will call again tomorrow, even if I can just keep my texting and pay a bit towards the balance, I could manage.

Will keep my fingers crossed. Appreciate your help and advice so far everyone.