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Original poster

AIBU to think this is a well known scam?

265 replies

EvaRoad · 30/08/2021 20:15

....or have I just been unlucky? (Name changed as too outing)

At the end of July my girlfriend dropped her phone and it broke "beyond repair". She was distraught, did not know what she was going to do and needed a new phone. I suggested she asked her friends or asked her family but ultimately she made it clear that if I didn't get her a phone then she would not be able to contact me anymore. I was in a difficult position, her birthday was coming up, so I eventually relented and purchased her a new phone on a contract. Anyway, I never got to see the phone, as she kept on making excuses not to see me, and then last week she said she had "got back with her ex", didn't want to see me again, and blocked me. Obviously she's still got the phone and I've now got to pay for the rest of the contract.

What really gets me is that this is the second time this has happened to me, my previous girlfriend did something similar, breaking up with me within a few weeks of getting her a new phone a couple of years back.

So is this a well known scam, or have I just been unlucky? Do girls really drop their phones as often as they say?

OP posts:
FibroidFanny · 30/08/2021 20:56

@EvaRoad

Unfortunately it's a contract in my name. Although I had known her for a few years, it was a reasonably new relationship and I wanted to demonstrate that I was serious about the relationship. She put her old SIM in the phone. It just frustrates me that I have 11 months of payments still to make.
I'm sorry but it is ridiculous to believe that material possessions 'prove' that you are serious about the relationship. Are you young? This seems to be the kind of thing a young adult would get fooled by.

Next time someone 'needs' something expensive/credit cards paid off/a loan taken out then they can sort it themselves. If there is an expectation for you to pay for it then see it as a giant red flag - you are just being used...

Shannith · 30/08/2021 20:56

CANCEL THE CONTRACT/CHEQUE

How many times do we need to say it?

More probably.

liveforsummer · 30/08/2021 20:57

Just report the phone stolen and get it blocked. It was a gift under false circumstances. Not sure how you have the sim but never seen the phone?! But maybe you could give it to a relative (any teenagers would be hugely gratefully I'm sure) with a cap so they can't go beyond the contracted allowances.

Ytrigging · 30/08/2021 20:58

Contact the phone company and tell them that you have lost the phone.

TartanJumper · 30/08/2021 20:58

It's not that easy to cancel a contract- it could work out quite expensive for OP.

BoredatHome321 · 30/08/2021 20:58

They can blacklist the IMEI which is unique to the phone, report it stolen.

EmmalineC · 30/08/2021 20:58

Report the phone stolen, get the handset rendered inactive by the phone company and never buy anyone, man or woman, a phone again.

happinessischocolate · 30/08/2021 21:01

@EmmalineC

Report the phone stolen, get the handset rendered inactive by the phone company and never buy anyone, man or woman, a phone again.
Then get them to send you a new sim and put it in your current phone, assuming you don't still have a contract on that one too
00100001 · 30/08/2021 21:01

people are telling you how to solve the problem.
Report it as stolen. Ask the place to help you disable the phone by the IMEI number etc..

Why are you ignoring them???Confused

FibroidFanny · 30/08/2021 21:01

@TartanJumper

It's not that easy to cancel a contract- it could work out quite expensive for OP.
True, it may be an expensive lesson but at the very least OP can stop the thieving sod benefitting from their stupidity and having access to the phone fir the next 11 months
loveyours · 30/08/2021 21:04

@ghostyslovesheets

I mean this kidney - honestly I think you need a bit more of a build up before asking for organs
Grin
SaltedCaramelIcedLatte · 30/08/2021 21:07

Just report the phone as stolen as long as you have imei number the phone will be useless to your ex...she is twat and you need to stop being so gullible

Original poster
EvaRoad · 30/08/2021 21:08

I think I have the IMEI number, I can't report it stolen but maybe I can report it lost.

OP posts:
steff13 · 30/08/2021 21:08

I've never broken a phone. Nor would ever expect anyone to buy me a new phone if I broke mine. If my BF offered, I'd be grateful but I'd decline.

I don't know that it's a well-known scam; certainly only a opportunistic sort of person would do this.

HalzTangz · 30/08/2021 21:10

@EvaRoad

I think I have the IMEI number, I can't report it stolen but maybe I can report it lost.
Technically it's stolen, it wasn't a gift, it was blackmail on her part.

You can ring the phone provider and change the contract to her name, give her name and address and cancel the direct debit. They will then chase her for the money

Greystray · 30/08/2021 21:16

Do what you can to try to recoup at least some of your money. Is there any written communication between the two of you about the phone, that you promised to buy it for her? If not, then fuck her. Take her to small claims court. Say it was a second phone for you but that you agreed to let her borrow it until she got her broken phone repaired.

caughtinanet · 30/08/2021 21:16

Don't you still have to pay the contract even if the phone is reported as stolen? The girl can't use it but the OP isn't any better off ishe?

daytriptovulcan · 30/08/2021 21:19

Well if the contract is in your name, then the hand piece is yours too. You own the telephone number, the minutes/text/data allowances. Demand it back, and threaten with a solicitors letter.
You only need to tell vodaphone or whoever you ve lost the sim, and a replacement also comes to your door. You can even get them to kill the phone remotely, as its kinda stolen, but you should persist to get the handset back,

caughtinanet · 30/08/2021 21:19

You can ring the phone provider and change the contract to her name, give her name and address and cancel the direct debit. They will then chase her for the money

Maybe it's different now but a few years ago I wanted to transfer a phone to one of my DC and I'm pretty sure they had to agree to the transfer, I remember it wasn't as easy as just phoning up

peridito · 30/08/2021 21:20

You can ring the phone provider and change the contract to her name, give her name and address and cancel the direct debit. They will then chase her for the money

Surely this isn't possible is it ?

Shamsa03 · 30/08/2021 21:22

I like to drop mine down the toilet.
Get it blocked.

Meraas · 30/08/2021 21:23

It’s in your name, tell the police she stole it.

TartanJumper · 30/08/2021 21:23

@peridito

You can ring the phone provider and change the contract to her name, give her name and address and cancel the direct debit. They will then chase her for the money

Surely this isn't possible is it ?

I don't think so. Surely you'd need their agreement.
Beautiful3 · 30/08/2021 21:23

Phone up and report it as lost/stolen. They'll block it and post you out a new sim. You'll still be tied into the length of contract.

Backtobacktheyfacedeachother · 30/08/2021 21:23

You can ring the phone provider and change the contract to her name, give her name and address and cancel the direct debit. They will then chase her for the money

They may not,
Relatives spouse took out mobile contracts set up in relatives name/bank details. They then separated.
They have sought help to resolve this issue to try and swap it to ex but mobile co wouldn’t do it. Whilst furloughed they were unable to make any payments and were still being chased.

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