Need to cancel a phone plan? Here are the steps you want to follow for the most popular telcos to avoid additional fees.
You wouldn't think there is a right way to cancel your phone plan but it is possible to get it wrong. Regardless of who you're with, there are some basic steps you should follow to ensure you have the correct information before cancelling or to avoid getting hit with hidden fees. If you plan on keeping your phone number because you're switching carriers we can help you with that too.
Before cancelling a phone plan, there are a few questions to keep in mind:
If so, do not just call and cancel, especially if you want to keep your current number. To transfer or 'port' your number, it needs to still be connected to an existing account. Our guide below will walk you through how to switch plans while keeping the same mobile number.
Also, note that swapping to a new provider will automatically cancel your old plan. While you'll still get a final bill, it's worth considering the below questions before you do.
Chances are if you're on a prepaid month-to-month or a SIM-only plan, you're contract-free. If you are, this means you won't be charged a fee for leaving. If you're unsure, it's always a good idea to check your current mobile plan details.
We also recommend making sure if you got a handset with your plan, that it's paid off as well. This will help you avoid being stung by any remaining costs on your included handsets. If you leave your plan before you've finished your 12, 24, or 36-month commitment with your telco, you'll need to pay off the rest in one lump sum. This could be quite substantial if you're only one year into a three-year term, for example.
We highly recommend timing when you leave your plan so it's at the end of your billing cycle. That means just before you're about to pay your bill for the month or are just about to recharge again, that's when you pull the plug.
Why? Because then you'll be completely paid up and will have used all your inclusions. If you're on a contracted plan, we recommend waiting until your contract term is up. That way you won't face any early exit fees.
If you're cancelling a phone plan for someone else, perhaps a deceased relative, there are a few details you will need to provide before the plan can be cancelled. This is strictly a security measure to prevent the cancellation of anyone's plan without their permission.
During cancellation, some circumstances may require a quick phone call to verify details.
To avoid running into any issues, we recommend contacting your chosen telco during business hours and outside of public holidays, to ensure a smoother transition.
Want to change mobile providers? We're here to answer all your questions about porting your number to a new provider. View our guide.
The easiest way to cancel almost any phone plan is to either log into your current telco's app, go on their website or give them a call. Sometimes you need to provide paperwork or additional identification so going in-store isn't the most efficient way.
If you're cancelling a plan on someone else's behalf, your telco may have specific requirements to authorise this change so it's best to go directly to them and discuss what the next steps are.
Below we have outlined how to cancel a mobile plan with some of the most popular telcos below.
Vodafone recommends calling to cancel phone plans. Simply dial 1555 from the Vodafone phone or 1300 650 410 from another phone to begin the process.
If you need to cancel a Vodafone mobile service on behalf of someone else, we recommend consulting the Vodafone website for detailed information regarding Power of Attorney.
To cancel an Optus mobile phone service, simply head online to its Contact Us page, select Moving & Disconnecting and choose to either message its 24/7 support via your My Account or contact Optus via phone at 1300 555 241. This number is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm (AEST) or on Saturdays from 9am to 6pm (AEST).
If you're cancelling the phone service on behalf of someone deceased, we recommend visiting the Optus website for specific instructions on how to lodge an official request and the required documentation.
Telstra has a few ways to cancel a mobile phone plan with them:
Cancelling via phone: Call 13 22 00 to reach a Telstra representative who will walk you through the process of cancelling the mobile plan.
Cancelling via the My Telstra App or a web browser: To completely cancel a Telstra mobile service and not transfer the existing number, simply log into the MyTelstra app, go to Services and choose your service. Then select View or Manage your plan to see your plan details and cancel your service.
Once your remaining balance has been settled, you can follow the steps above to cancel via phone, the My Telstra app or via a web browser.
To cancel an amaysim mobile plan, its live chat service is available for processing plan cancellations. The Live Chat feature is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:45pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5:30pm and on public holidays from 10am to 6pm.
Otherwise, customers can call 567 from the amaysim number for free or 1300 808 300 between Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5:30pm or on public holidays from 10am to 6pm. Another option is to email directly to lodge a cancellation out of hours.
To temporarily disable your plan, you can simply turn off 'auto renew' via the My amaysim website or app.
Cancelling a phone plan can take anywhere between a few minutes to a few days. This all depends on whether you're simply cancelling your own plan or if you're setting up a new phone plan as well. If you're not the owner of the phone plan being cancelled, be prepared for this process to take a little longer.
Yes, you can keep your number when you change phone carriers. Your phone number is yours so you can request to 'port' or transfer your phone number when you sign up for a new plan. Otherwise, you can choose a new number when you sign up with a new carrier. If you want to keep your number, do not cancel your old plan until you have signed up for a new plan.
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