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imitchellg5 · May 25, 2010, 03:19 PM

My Verizon EnV touch recently developed some problems so I went into the store. They didn't have any replacements in store, so they said they'd over night one to me. I felt that I received pretty good care in store. I was in and out within 5 minutes, which is great. But then, 3 business days later, my phone finally comes. Okay, a little late, and it's been a pain living with a phone with a non-working screen, but whatever.
So now I have to activate the phone. Which sounds easy. You're supposed to dial *228. Easy right? Nope, not at all. Why? Because you will

be asked to enter your wireless number, account password or the last four-digits of your Social Security or Tax ID number, order number, and location code (on Customer Receipt)

I'm sorry, what??? Since I'm on a family plan, with my dad as the account owner, I can't do it, for several reasons. First of all, our account password has numbers. Imagine that! But the input system only allows for LETTERS. Secondly, I don't know that the **** my dad's SS number is, or a "tax ID number." And the drone that I talk to on the phone is being all mysterious and says that there is another account owner (my mom) who can activate the phone. But both of them are gone until Friday. I have to be on call for work tomorrow, and my phone can't answer calls with the inside screen. FML.
I could understand this (a bit) if it were a brand new device. But it's just a freaking warranty replacement. The total cost is $0. How inefficient.

turtle777 · May 25, 2010, 03:35 PM

You don't know your dad's SSN# ?

That's odd. What if something happened to him, and you needed to take care of stuff ?

-t

SpaceMonkey · May 25, 2010, 04:15 PM

I don't know my dad's SS#.

This whole thing sounds like an inconvenience one should expect to encounter occasionally with a family plan. Of course they are going to be cagey with you if they can't tell you are the account owner.

imitchellg5 · May 25, 2010, 04:37 PM

I just think it's dumb for a warranty replacement that costs $0.

turtle777 · May 25, 2010, 04:40 PM

Well, let me play devils advocate: if you don't have any way to prove that you are a legitimate account user, couldn't just anyone try to get a phone activated on someone else's line ?

-t

imitchellg5 · May 25, 2010, 05:13 PM

I knew the password to the account and the account owner's names and passwords? Isn't that enough?

turtle777 · May 25, 2010, 05:49 PM

I guess asking for the SSN or something related is like the "security" question.

-t

ThinkInsane · May 25, 2010, 06:05 PM

Activate it on the website. You should only need the ESN to do so.

imitchellg5 · May 25, 2010, 06:45 PM

You can't activate online, at least for a replacement.

Uncle Skeleton · May 25, 2010, 08:04 PM

take it to the store and tell them to git 'er done

bstone · May 25, 2010, 11:32 PM

Call your dad and ask for the last 4 of his SS. I did that years ago when I was ona family plan.

Cold Warrior · May 26, 2010, 12:08 AM

bstone's suggestion is good.

Yet another reason why SIM cards rule the day for portability and easy device changes.

Salty · May 26, 2010, 01:19 AM

Serves you right for owning an LG...

ThinkInsane · May 26, 2010, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

You can't activate online, at least for a replacement.

It must have changed, you used to be able too, as of last summer. I dropped my phone in the sink while doing dishes, and activated the replacement at myverizon. Took about 3 seconds.

Mrjinglesusa · May 26, 2010, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

It must have changed, you used to be able too, as of last summer. I dropped my phone in the sink while doing dishes, and activated the replacement at myverizon. Took about 3 seconds.

Hasn't changed. I just did it two weeks ago. Didn't like my BlackBerry Storm2 that I got when I switched to Verizon a couple months ago so I bought a Droid Incredible on eBay. When it arrived, logged into my account online, entered ESN, and that was it. Had to then call *228 from phone. Took all of 5 minutes.

Big Mac · May 26, 2010, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by bstone

Call your dad and ask for the last 4 of his SS. I did that years ago when I was ona family plan.

Same. Verizon won't give you any account details without being given the primary account holder's last 4, but once you have it you're good to go.

imitchellg5 · May 26, 2010, 05:05 PM

My dad called Verizon last night after he got in (he's a pilot) to Tuscon and told them to make me an account holder... got it all fixed up.