How many of you have at one point destroyed a cell phone? No need to be shy — it happens to the best of us. There are just so many ways these devices can go south: from dropping it too many times to dropping it in the toilet. This is no big deal if you have the phone insured; a replacement will be on its way shortly. Unfortunately, insurance is not an option with prepaid phones. Once that phone goes, it’s time to drop the money for a new one. The inconvenience extends beyond the price, though. First, you just lost all of your contacts. Many prepaid phones have SIM cards now, so that might not be much of an issue. However, what happens to your number? If you need a new one, that’s a ton of calls or text messages (hence, even more dough out of your pocket) to let everyone know. Sure, you’ve heard of your friends keeping their numbers, even when they switch providers. But what of prepaid customers? Do they have the same rights, even within the same provider? We’re going to look at a some of the top prepaid providers and let you know if — and how — this can be done.
Provider | Same # | Details |
---|---|---|
Alltel | Yes | In-store only |
Amp’d | Yes | Call 866-811-0091 to give them the ESM# on the new phone |
Boost Mobile | Yes | Call 888-266-7848 and they’ll transfer all the information to your new phone |
Cingular | Yes | http://www.cingular.com/activations |
Cricket Prepaid | Yes | In-store only |
Liberty Wireless | Yes | After you get your phone, call customer service for activation: 888-919-7692 |
Locus Prepaid | Yes | Call 800-643-4917 to transfer minutes to a new phone |
Metro PCS | Yes | In-store only |
Net10 | Yes | Give ’em a call once you have the new phone: 877-836-2368 |
Omni Prepaid | Yes | Call customer service @ 866-254-2244 |
Page Plus Cellular | Yes | Call their activations department @ 800-550-2436 |
Simple Freedom | Yes | Give’em a call @ 800-335-6401 and they’ll transfer your number and minutes |
STI Mobile | Yes | Call customer service @ 800-784-3277 after you purchase the new phone |
T-Mobile Prepaid | Yes | Call customer service @ 877-387-4324 and have your SIM # ready |
Tracfone | Yes | Call customer service @ 800-867-7183. Have your SIM # ready |
US Cellular Prepaid | Yes | Call customer service @ 888-944-9400 |
Venture Mobile | Yes | Just drop the SIM card in a new GSM phone (if the phone is locked, it can be unlocked at the service provider where you purchased the phone) |
Verizon Wireless | Yes | You can upgrade your phone @ http://www.verizonwireless.com (just login to your account) |
Virgin Mobile | Yes | Go to the website — http://www.virginmobileusa.com/activate — and make sure you have your vKey |
Xtreme Mobile | Yes | If you originally activated the phone at a store, you have to go back to that store to activate a new phone. If you bought it online, call 888-699-8736 or go to http://www.xtrememobile.com to purchase a new phone and change numbers. |