Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Mobile contracts 😡

47 replies

DustyLee123 · 24/09/2023 12:27

Does anyone else have the situation where one person ‘bought’ more than one phone (ie for him and me) and has the contract in his name, so I can’t do anything with the contract ?
Im trying to break the contract as I don’t like the fact that DH can go online and see who/when I’ve phoned/text.
I think this is a lack of confidentiality and goes against GDPR, but would the company just say that both phones are his, so I’ve not got a leg to stand on ?

OP posts:
Whataretheodds · 24/09/2023 12:28

would the company just say that both phones are his, so I’ve not got a leg to stand on ?

Yes exactly

Original poster
DustyLee123 · 24/09/2023 12:29

Bugger 😡🤣

OP posts:
Eddyraisins · 24/09/2023 12:30

Use whatsapp there is no record of that on the bill.
At the end of this contract. Cancel it and get your own.

Original poster
DustyLee123 · 24/09/2023 12:32

Eddyraisins · 24/09/2023 12:30

Use whatsapp there is no record of that on the bill.
At the end of this contract. Cancel it and get your own.

I will be getting my own then, but there’s over 12 months to go still.
Very frustrating that I can’t just slide it across into my name.

OP posts:
Thewizardbinbag · 24/09/2023 12:34

He’ll be getting a discount for having another phone on his account, that’s why people get family plans. You can’t just have it put into your name.

You can pay to break the contract, or just wait until it’s up and take out your own phone.

But more importantly, why is your husband checking your bill to see what you’ve been doing? Who actually looks at their mobile bill unless you’ve been charged more than your contract and don’t know why? Are you being abused?

Thelnebriati · 24/09/2023 12:39

Whats the money situation with this contract? The phone is in his name so whats stopping you from giving it back to him. Or just using it for family stuff, and getting your own phone?

Topseyt123 · 24/09/2023 12:39

DH and I each have our own contracts for this reason.

I still have two of our 3 DDs phones attached to my contract but that will change in the next two or three years as DD2 becomes able to take her own on and DD3 finishes her final year at uni.

I'm afraid they are unlikely to allow you to do what you want to because the contract is in your DH's name. It can be possible to buy your way out, so look into that, but it probably isn't worth it.

Give him the phone back and set up your own contract elsewhere if finances allow?

BeaLola · 24/09/2023 12:42

I'd be more worried that your DH is wanting to do this - is he - or are you thinking about the fact that he could ?

I have mine and DH & DS mobiles tagged onto my BT contract so I get a great rate - I never look at who they call or text when - only time I looked more closely at bill was when there were extra charges for phoning overseas - showed "old" DH how to use what's App for future

youlied · 24/09/2023 12:43

I'm with vodafone. At the height of my srbxh's cheating he asked for his phone to be taken from the family contract and voda allowed this. It can be done

HunterHearstHelmsley · 24/09/2023 12:43

Get a sim only and use it in the phone. It won't cost much and your DH won't be able to see who you've called etc. Is he actually checking it, or are you just concerned he can?

QuestionableMouse · 24/09/2023 12:43

If you can afford it, get a cheap sim only contract and swap them.

User19537876 · 24/09/2023 12:44

I would just buy a cheap phone and pay and go if he is checking your calls and texts

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 24/09/2023 12:51

I would second putting a different sim in.
Very effective for one of my teens!

Original poster
DustyLee123 · 24/09/2023 12:55

No ,he’s not checking my calls. I just know he could if he wanted to. And no, no abuse. Just pissed off at not being in control of my own phone. It’s peri kicking in !
Buying a SIM might be an idea 🤔

OP posts:
Original poster
DustyLee123 · 24/09/2023 12:56

youlied · 24/09/2023 12:43

I'm with vodafone. At the height of my srbxh's cheating he asked for his phone to be taken from the family contract and voda allowed this. It can be done

I asked Tesco and was told no.

OP posts:
Alargeoneplease89 · 24/09/2023 12:59

I dont think its normal to worry about who I've texted or phoned and wouldn't cross my mind that my DH is going to look tbh. Is there a problem with trust between you both?

I get contracts out in my DH name as he has better credit and its never bothered me.

Original poster
DustyLee123 · 24/09/2023 13:00

Alargeoneplease89 · 24/09/2023 12:59

I dont think its normal to worry about who I've texted or phoned and wouldn't cross my mind that my DH is going to look tbh. Is there a problem with trust between you both?

I get contracts out in my DH name as he has better credit and its never bothered me.

I was hoping to use it as a confidentiality/GDPR argument to separate them.

OP posts:
midgemadgemodge · 24/09/2023 13:00

Buy your own phone

NoTouch · 24/09/2023 13:02

If there are no trust issues why do you want to break the contract I assume you agreed with your dh at the time to save you both money?

Just wait for the contract to expire and pay more for separate contracts next time.

User19537876 · 24/09/2023 13:04

If it's just that you want your privacy, I would just buy a sim, gift gaff is on O2 like Tesco. He's probably getting perks for the family phones

BeretRaspberry · 24/09/2023 13:05

Most companies (but definitely EE as I used to work for them) will add you onto the account to have access to information but you won’t be able to do anything to amend the contract side of things. Things like upgrading, disconnecting etc. Although actually they may offer different levels of access now so that may have changed.

They also offer change of ownership so you take on the account and become liable for it. I always thought all companies did this, but maybe the smaller ones like Tesco don’t.

Original poster
DustyLee123 · 24/09/2023 13:07

NoTouch · 24/09/2023 13:02

If there are no trust issues why do you want to break the contract I assume you agreed with your dh at the time to save you both money?

Just wait for the contract to expire and pay more for separate contracts next time.

Because I’d like to be in charge of my own phone. It’s got far more texts/minutes/internet on than I need, and is costing a fortune, but he can’t be arsed to do anything about it. Plus, he can see my calls/texts but I can’t see his.

OP posts:
Ginmonkeyagain · 24/09/2023 13:07

If the account is just in your husband's name then they will only speak to him about the account.

The solution is to take out your own phone contract.

Potsto · 24/09/2023 13:07

Me and DH are on a family plan with Tesco. I'm in charge of it and can only see how much of his allowance is used/left, not who he's been texting or calling? TBH I've only looked when he's not been sure how much data he has left, never occured to me to look otherwise?

Pleaseme · 24/09/2023 13:10

Does the bill actually itemise your calls and texts though? I thought it only detailed chargeable ones. Most contracts have unlimited minutes/ texts.

Swipe left for the next trending thread