Have you ever dialed a number and then got the message that it was an unallocated phone number?
Or, if not, imagine for a moment you got a call from an unallocated phone number. It sounds quite suspicious at first.
The first question that comes to mind is, why would someone use an allocated phone number to contact you?
In this article, we shall discuss this mysterious phone number error, what it means, and how you can go around the notification.
What is the meaning of “the number you have dialed is unallocated?
There are two instances when you can get a “the number you have dialed is unallocated” error;
- When the operator has not assigned the phone number.
- The operator has assigned the carrier network provider the number, but the provider has not assigned it to a user.
This error means that the number in question is not registered under any user or that an operator has not assigned it to a specific network provider.
So, why would someone use an unallocated phone number? The simple answer is to save on cost.
Yes, some network providers will permit businesses to use such numbers without paying the subscription fee.
But unfortunately, spammers, protocols, scammers, and telemarketers who may occasionally have ill intentions will take advantage of such provisions and start phoning people with such numbers.
Note that this differs from the temporary phone numbers generated by the Burner app.
These are some of the causes of ‘the number you have dialed unallocated;
1. If you have an incorrect number
It is obvious to associate unallocated and unassigned messages with spammers, protocols, scammers, and telemarketers. But sometimes, they can be a result of dialing the wrong numbers.
You can envisage a case where someone gave you their number, but while saving, you missed or added a digit without noticing.
When you dial such a number, you will get the number you have dialed is an unallocated error.
2. Fraudulent numbers
There are cases where you may have a phone number in your contact list. Fraudsters take it because the owner canceled the number for whatever reason. They’ll use it for calls or to send anonymous texts.
When you try to call such a number, you will get the unallocated and unassigned message error.
3. Failure to pay your phone bills at the right time
If you don’t pay your phone bills on time, your network provider may cancel your subscription plans. In this case, you may end up on the unallocated phone numbers list.
Similarly, you may have several people who could not pay their phone bills on time and canceled their subscription plans.
You may see the error when you call them.
4. Temporary problems with the network
When the network is down, it can lead to the problem of the ‘number you have dialed is unallocated’ error.
So if you dial a number and the person is in a place with temporary network issues, you may get messages like the mobile network is unavailable.
The same case applies to you if a person was calling you and you were experiencing network issues.
5. Spoof numbers
There are cases where someone may call you, and you could not pick up for another reason. Then, later, when you try to call them back, you get the unallocated phone number message.
You may also notice that the person was calling you from a landline or, even worse, a number without a caller id. Unfortunately, that means you cannot call them back to clarify.
Those are the numbers referred to as spoofed numbers. In most cases, they are used by scammers, protocols, spammers, and telemarketers.
Such numbers are generated by software, and then they’re edited. So it’s always good to treat the number as spam and block them to avoid further damage.
One common example is the text mail subscriber number.
How to fix the unallocated phone number error
There are several ways to solve this error. Here is a list of some possible solutions;
1. Delete the contact number and retype it
As we have mentioned, receiving the unallocated phone number error message is possible if you have the wrong number saved in your contact list. It can be as simple as adding or omitting just one digit.
To correct such an error, it would be to confirm the number in the question and then retype the correct number.
This will save you a lot of unnecessary headaches in the future.
2. Confirm Google Voice settings
Sometimes, the error of the number you dialed is unallocated and triggered by the Google Voice settings, disabling your phone number without your knowledge. However, there is a simple way to fix this error with Google Voice settings.
- Go to Google Voice settings and ensure your number appears at the top.
- Search for your mobile operator, and type your phone number.
- Wait for a Google Voice activation message and follow the instructions.
3. Contact customer care support
If you are sure you have paid all your bills, yet you keep getting the unallocated phone number error, you can call support.
Every carrier network provider has a team of customer care support to fix such issues.
At least after explaining to them, they should be able to give you a workable solution on what you can do. For example, they might need to activate your number if it was deactivated for whatever reason.
4. Block the phone number
If you notice that you have received a call from a spoofed number, chances are high that it’s from a scammer.
Some scammers will even make calls with no caller id, making it difficult to retrieve their details.
This means the caller does not want to be identified for obvious reasons; they may intend to scam you. For your safety, it would be best to block the number and protect the integrity of your data.