If you've lost your phone or don't plan to use your SIM card, you need to block it to prevent thieves from spending your balance. Each operator has several simple ways to temporarily block your SIM card, which we will discuss in this article.
If you need to block a number forever, take your passport to your operator's service center. After permanent blocking, the number cannot be restored; it will be transferred to a new subscriber. This can be dangerous - your Internet accounts can be hacked by recovering your password using your phone number.
Why do you need to block a mobile operator's SIM card?
A SIM card for a phone not only contains data about your number and mobile operator. Often a phone book is recorded on it so that when switching to another phone model there is no need to re-enter all the necessary numbers and names into its memory.
In some phone models, even SMS messages are recorded in the SIM card memory. Losing or stealing your phone will not only make someone the owner of a nice device, but will also give that person access to your personal information.
Of course, using a SIM card requires installing a special PIN code, without knowing which you cannot access its capabilities. However, nowadays, finding a four-digit code consisting only of numbers takes a few hours, and almost anyone can do this by downloading the appropriate program on the Internet.
To prevent this, if your phone is lost, you can block its SIM card and protect your personal information, as well as the money that is on your mobile account.
Termination of a contract with a telecom operator: method 1 (the most correct)
The easiest way to quickly and reliably terminate a relationship with an operator is to go directly to his office. By contacting there, you can be sure that all operations to terminate the contract, in accordance with established standards, will be completed.
Need to know
- The contract can only be terminated by the person for whom this service contract (SIM card) was actually drawn up, or by the one who has a properly notarized power of attorney from the “holder” of the contract.
- You can terminate a service contract only in the region of the Russian Federation where you concluded it. An agreement that you concluded in Kaliningrad cannot be terminated in Murmansk (I’m talking about the option of visiting the office).
Step-by-step instructions for terminating a contract with a telecom operator in the office
- Come to any office of the telecom operator (in your region) where you are served.
- Say that you want to terminate the contract, show your passport.
- Pay all debts for services, if any. This is your responsibility.
Here, keep in mind the “slippery” point regarding foreign roaming: sometimes expenses are written off with long delays up to 30 calendar days after your trip. The operator will be right if he forces you to guarantee payment for services even after termination of the contract.
- Submit a completed application for termination of communication services (sample applications for different operators below), or ask for a blank form, which you fill out immediately.
If a representative of the operator refuses to provide you with an application form, firstly, this is a good reason to file a complaint with the regulatory authorities (I wrote in detail how to write a complaint to a telecom operator in this material), and secondly, “screw him” if there is no form, then simply write “by hand” on a piece of paper.
- If, on the date of filing an application for termination of services, there are funds remaining in your account, then the operator is obliged to return them to you. To return, write either a separate statement, or write about a refund directly in the termination application (return methods and examples below).
- Having handed over the application for termination of the contract to the employee, be sure to ask him to make a copy for you, on which this employee should put his signature and the date of receipt of the paper. Demand the same if you wrote a separate application for a refund.
By law, any employee of the telecom operator’s office is authorized to accept applications from subscribers. Any! If someone in the office tells you that he is not authorized to accept documents, do not believe it.
- All. Your services have been disconnected, your SIM card does not work and you have parted ways with your telecom operator.
Options for returning funds from the telecom operator to the subscriber upon termination of the contract
- Transfer of funds to the account of another subscriber of the same operator.
- Refund to a bank card or bank account according to the subscriber's details.
- Payment in cash (not available from all operators).
How to block an MTS SIM card?
MTS has many useful and easy-to-use services that can be used in different circumstances. So, if you have lost your phone and want to block your SIM card, you can choose one of three ways to solve this problem.
- You can go to your personal “Internet Assistant” and block your SIM card using the section called “Number blocking” . But to do this, you need the number you want to block to have been previously registered on the site, and you have a password to log in. You can register using the command *111*25# and enter the password that will be sent to your MTS number in the corresponding field of the “Internet Assistant” . Do this right now, and then if you lose it, you can quickly block your SIM card.
- You can call the MTS call center, contact the operator and ask to block the number. If you call from an MTS number, dial 0890 , if from a number of another operator or landline, then you will need to dial 8 800 333 0890 . You will be asked to provide your passport information for identification, after which the lost SIM card will be blocked.
- The most convenient option is to contact an MTS communication salon. To do this, you need to take your passport with you. In the salon you will not only block the lost SIM card, but also, if desired, make a duplicate of it, so that you do not have to switch to another number and endure all the inconveniences associated with this.
The problem is in the phone
Let's move on to the second group, in which the problem “SIM does not work” depends on the phone. Some reasons can be eliminated on your own, others will require contacting a service center.
Incorrect settings
Why doesn't the phone see the SIM card?
1. Check to see if you have Airplane Mode or Offline Mode enabled. When airplane mode is turned on, mobile communication services will automatically turn off.
- click the settings icon;
- select additional settings;
- turn off airplane mode.
Did not help? Pull out the SIM card, wait about half a minute and reinsert it. Reboot your phone/tablet.
2. Check whether the SIM card is enabled in the phone settings; this is important for devices with two or more SIM cards on Android:
- go to settings options;
- select “SIM Card Manager”;
- activate the desired SIM card by clicking on it or switch the slider next to it to “On” mode.
If it doesn’t help, try sending a message from an inactive SIM card and the system will automatically ask you to enable the card.
3. The phone does not see the new SIM card - activation failed. What to do:
- install a SIM card, turn on the device;
- enter the PIN code (indicated on the plastic blister where the SIM card was secured upon purchase);
- make a call to the toll-free activation number.
| Tele 2 | 610 |
| MTS | *111# |
| Beeline | *101*1111# |
| Megaphone | *121*PACK code# |
4. No registration on the network. You will need to manually search for the nearest station through the settings:
- go to settings;
- click "Advanced settings";
- Click Mobile Networks.
The device will start searching for all available operators and display a list of possible connections. Select what you need and activate it.
If none of the methods work, do a full reset: “settings” – “backup and reset” – “data reset”. Pre-archive your data for automatic recovery.
The phone is tied to a specific operator
When you buy a mobile phone at a dealership with a big discount, it is most likely tied to a specific operator by default. To find out whether this is true or not, take a SIM card from another operator and insert it into the device. No connection? Your model is tied to a specific operator.
There are two options to resolve the issue:
- contact the service center, where they will make changes to the software using special equipment;
- change the software yourself.
The second option carries the risk of incorrectly changing the software and causing the device to fail. The most harmless way is to search for another operator manually (described in paragraph 4 of the section above), but it does not always help.
The SIM card slot is damaged
This problem occurs due to frequent changes of SIM cards, ingress of water, sand or dust, iron oxidation, shaking and falling of the gadget. What to do? First, clean the slot in the device. Treat with alcohol and check that there are no dents or other defects. Has some contact been broken? The part is broken. It is not recommended to disassemble the device yourself; contact service.
SIM card holder is faulty
Another reason why the smartphone does not see the SIM card is the deformation of the holder. The SIM card does not fit tightly into the slot in the phone and there is no contact. Place a piece of tape on the SIM card or place a folded piece of paper. The card will fit more tightly to the contacts and the problem will be solved. The result is not achieved or you cannot reach the holder yourself - contact the service center.
Broken soldering of cardholder contacts
During the operation of the smartphone, dirt and water get inside, mechanical damage is possible, and as a result, the contacts of the card holder come off. If you encounter this problem, do not carry out repairs yourself. Take the gadget to a service center.
Operating system or software malfunction
The phone may not see the SIM due to an operating system update. For example, when installing version 10 of Windows Phone, the system does not have time to initialize and issues a SIM card missing code ahead of time. Solutions:
- “roll back” the software to the previous version;
- return to factory settings.
For correct operation, install licensed software. It is guaranteed that the problem can be solved at the service center.
How to block a Beeline SIM card?
Blocking a Beeline SIM card can be done in different ways:
- on the official Beeline website in your personal account - if you have registered your number in advance and acquired a password to access management functions;
— in a conversation with a Beeline call center operator, who can be reached at 8 800 700 0611 , after which you will need to provide your passport personal information to identify you as the owner;
- at the Beeline subscriber service center, where you must go with a passport, and if the phone is registered to a legal entity, then with registration documents and the company’s tax identification number.
How to block a Megafon SIM card?
If you have lost your phone with a Megafon SIM card, do not waste time and try to block this number as soon as possible, for which you can use one of the options:
— if you are registered in the Service Guide, go to your personal account and block the number for a period convenient for you (maximum - up to two months);
— call the Megafon call center from any phone (number 8 800 333 0500 , the service is free for calling from all Russian operators and from landline numbers);
— take your passport and go to Megafon’s communication salon, where you can block a number or restore a lost SIM card.
How to block a TELE2 SIM card?
Each user can block a TELE2 SIM card if necessary. To do this you need:
- call the TELE2 call center at 611 , give the special code word that you set earlier, and the details of your passport or other document that you used for registration - they can be replaced with a PUK code printed on a plastic card for your SIM card ";
- go to the TELE2 service center with your passport and block your number personally or, if desired, get a duplicate SIM card with a lost number.
How to block a SIM card via the Internet?
Not every operator provides the opportunity to manage a mobile number via the Internet. If you have such an opportunity, then to implement it you need to register on the site and receive an SMS with an access password to your phone number.
Only after this will you be able to perform various operations on the Internet, including blocking your SIM card. If you have lost your SIM card and it was not registered on the site, it is impossible to block it via the Internet.
Preparation before blocking
Before you move on to blocking your card, you need to prepare for it.
Withdrawal of funds
Before you block your card, especially if you want to do it permanently, you need to withdraw funds from your account. So, the easiest way to do this is from an MTS account.
In order to withdraw funds from an ATM that is a partner of MTS Bank, you need to proceed as follows:
- On the start page, select the “Cash from phone account” subsection.
- Next, select the “MTS Money” section in the menu.
- Select the mobile phone number from which the request was sent.
- Enter the PIN you received in the message.
- Indicate the amount you want to withdraw.
- Actually, get a check and money.
In this case, a commission of 5.95 percent of the transfer amount will be charged.
There are some restrictions here:
- Thus, the minimum withdrawal amount must be at least one hundred rubles.
- You can transfer no more than 5,000 rubles at a time.
- You can transfer no more than 5,000 rubles per day.
- The maximum transfer amount per month is no more than 40,000 rubles.
- It is important that at least 10 rubles remain in your personal account.
- The multiplicity of the transfer amount is 100 rubles.
- It is important that the PIN code is valid for only 72 hours. If you do not withdraw funds during this time, the PIN will be blocked, and the funds will be returned to your mobile phone after 4 days.
If funds are withdrawn from an MTS ATM, then you need to:
- Send an SMS to number 3232 with the text: RUB transfer amount. For example, RUB 500. In this case, the keyboard layout and case do not matter.
- After the message is sent, you will receive a message with money transfer details.
- Confirm the MTS transfer with a reply SMS, following the instructions received in the message.
- Wait for an SMS with a PIN code to receive funds from an ATM.
Next, select the ATM that is most convenient for you, and in its menu, follow these steps:
- Go to the ATM start page and select the “Operations without a card” section.
- Next in the menu, select the “cash from MTS phone account” section.
- Enter the number of the mobile phone from which the request was sent.
- Enter the PIN code that was received via SMS.
- Enter the amount you wish to withdraw.
- Receive your finances and receipt.
Saving contacts
If until now you have saved all your contacts to a SIM card, then before blocking the number it makes sense to copy them to your phone. Otherwise, all the contacts you need will be lost.
