How to Recover the Lost SIM?

You certainly love your old mobile number. Many people use the same number for years and don’t want to change it. Keeping this in mind the Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has launched the facility of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in which you can use the same number but change the operator if you are not happy with it. But what if your mobile or SIM is lost and you have been using your number for long time and you don’t want to buy another SIM because all your contacts have your old number. Here is the process to get a new SIM with same number.

            First of all call the costumer care of the concerned operator and report about the lost SIM. You may have to verify your identity that you are the real subscriber of the SIM, so make sure you remember all the details such as in whose name the SIM is issued and what ID proof you gave and what is the address and so. After satisfaction of your identity they will block the services to your number temporarily till you are issued new SIM. They will also give a reference number for your complaint, preserve it carefully.

            Once your SIM is blocked, get a ten rupee stamp paper and get all the details written on the paper, such as mobile number, date of losing the SIM, your name address and age etc. you will get a pre-printed FIR format from the same person who prepares your stamp paper. He will get it notified from the notary. This whole thing will cost some 50-65 rupees. You don’t have to worry; you give money, rest they will take care.

            Once this paper is ready, make a photo copy of the stamp paper and FIR. Take them to the nearest police station and submit there. They will acknowledge it and give and write on the other copy of FIR which is with you. Take these documents and submit them to the operator’s retailer office. Usually they don’t ask you any other documents, but still keep ready your ID proof and Address proof, in case it is needed. On submission of the copy of FIR, usually the new SIM is given to you immediately and sometimes activated also immediately; otherwise it may take 2-3 days. You will have your old number activated on the new SIM and you will get all the balance or value added services, whatever you had in your old SIM.