Thanks for the advice everyone. I've sent a request to rbs telling them to sort it out or I'll take legal action. Should put them on their toes. Will report back

If it gets too bad your provider should be able to change your number for you at very worst case scenario. Although to do it for free most networks need a crime reference number, just call the local police, report it and they should give you a crime ref number. x

Its worth popping to your local store. They should know its a known issue in the area. x

I agree, do not bother with the guys over the phone. Its only when you complain in writing you actually get somewhere. Also make sure when you do write to them, send as recorded delivery and make copies of everything you send them. That way they cannot deny you sent anything. What you need to ask for is a complete breakdown of every single charge, any calls/texts/data use that they charged you for. If it were me id also ask for copies of the call logs (the conversations you have had with every single advisor on the phone since this incident) If they hung up on you and were unhelpful and rude it will be proof of that too. Good luck and i hope it gets sorted for you x

Hello Scott! If you havent already, do this via a vodafone store, they issue courtesy phones. They are basic phones but it will mean you wont be without your service for the time the handset is away. I hope it gets sorted for you

Hi everyone. I am in need of some advice. I had a loan with royal bank of scotland which (due to money problems at the time) went to debt collectors (Frederikson international) I agreed a payment plan with them directly with direct debit and paid this off. 2 months later i get a call from the debt collectors again saying i still owe another £500. I queried this as i do not have a bank account with this bank and only had the one loan. So there is no logical reason why they would want more money and none of my repayment defaulted. They said i would need to speak to Royal Bank Of Scotland as they had sent them this 'debt' 2 days ago. Also i might add that on this day. ..frederikson international took another sum out of my bank account without my authority which im sure is illegal!! I got this back though. to cut a long story short i made a written complaint to the royal bank of scotland who (after a couple of months of investigating) sent me a letter with good news.. .They had explained what went wrong, apologised for what had happened, specified that they now consider this debt to be paid in full, would amend this on my credit rating and even refunded me £110 for the inconvenience. I didnt ask for any compensation but that was a really lovely touch i felt. HOWEVER!!! The very rude team at Triton credit services keep ringing me (every day so far) asking for this 'debt' to be repaid. They keep changing the amount too. Initially it was the full £500. Then i got a letter from them saying it was around £200, then i got a call today saying it was £500 again. I keep trying to tell them about the letter from royal bank of scotland but they dont seem to want to hear it. Ive offered to fax,email, send a copy of this letter to them to back up what ive been saying but they claim 'it shows as a debt on the system and cant be changed' Apparently its all about the system... Ive gone to the ombudsman who have said they will send a letter, but they still keep calling!! I just want to be left alone and my credit rating sorted. Is there anything anyone can suggest? As im getting to the stage now where im tempted to counter sue for harassment and detriment of character. Thankyou Im getting married next year and will be wanting to start a family and apply for a mortgage. So i cannot afford to have this debt on my record.

I'm sure that the account holder would be in that position But since the handset is not contracted to you, Vodafone cannot just give out the details of why it was barred as it would entail giving you details regarding the account holders vodafone account which would be a breech of the data protection act. It's extremely hard work going through the network in these cases. I'd recommend giving the independent seller a hard time. It sounds like they have made an insurance claim and sold their old phone on to make some money.