Three (UK) Customer Care Numbers: An Expert, Practical Guide
Contents
- 1 Key customer care numbers at a glance
- 2 When to call which number—and what it costs
- 3 Fast-track tips and self‑serve options
- 4 Billing, upgrades, and cancellations—what to prepare before you call
- 5 Roaming, lost/stolen, and security
- 6 Complaints and escalation
- 7 Useful links and final checks before you call
Key customer care numbers at a glance
If you’re a Three (UK) mobile customer, the fastest way to reach support is by phone. Three operates different numbers depending on where you’re calling from and which phone you’re using. Costs and availability can vary by plan and location, so keep your latest bill or the My3 app handy when you call.
- 333 (free from a Three phone): General customer services, billing, upgrades, technical support.
- 0333 338 1001 (standard rate from any UK phone): Call if you’re not using a Three handset; included in most landline/mobile bundles. Outside allowances, it’s charged at your provider’s standard 01/02/03 rate.
- +44 7782 333 333 (from abroad): Use when roaming or calling from outside the UK. International call charges apply based on your current roaming/operator rates.
Typical opening hours for Three’s voice support are 08:00–20:00 Monday–Friday and 09:00–18:00 on weekends and UK bank holidays. Hours can change during peak periods and public holidays; always check the latest information at three.co.uk/support/contact-us before calling.
Keep your account PIN, full name, billing postcode, and last two digits of your bank account or card (if applicable) ready. For business accounts, have your company name, account number, and the last invoice reference to hand; this can cut verification time by several minutes.
When to call which number—and what it costs
Use 333 if you’re calling from your Three mobile while in the UK. It’s free and routes you into the correct team using your number, which speeds up verification and makes it easier for agents to view your plan, add-ons, and recent network events. If your SIM won’t register or the device is lost, 0333 338 1001 is your next best option from another UK phone.
From outside the UK, call +44 7782 333 333. Save this into your contacts before you travel; if your device is lost or stolen, having the number stored separately (e.g., in a password manager) can save crucial time. Ask the agent to bar the SIM and the handset’s IMEI to help prevent fraudulent usage; follow up with your insurer within 24 hours if you have device cover.
03 numbers (like 0333) are charged at UK standard landline rates and are usually included in bundled minutes from most UK providers. If you’re not sure whether your 03 calls are included, check your tariff guide or the “inclusive minutes” section of your bill. For international calls to +44 7782 333 333, charges depend on your roaming destination and local carrier—using Wi‑Fi calling (if enabled) or the in-app chat may reduce costs.
Fast-track tips and self‑serve options
Many common tasks are faster via self‑service. Use My3 (web: three.co.uk/my3; app: “Three UK” on iOS/Android) to check data usage, view and download bills (PDF), manage spend caps, change or cancel add‑ons, and enable/disable services like international calling and voicemail. For plan changes and upgrades, the app will show eligibility dates and early upgrade fees for device contracts.
- Text-to-switch: Text PAC to 65075 to get your PAC code in under a minute; text STAC to 75075 to cancel and close your number; text INFO to 85075 for contract end date and fees. These Ofcom codes work from any UK network and are free.
- Top-up line: Call 444 free from your Three phone to top up a Pay As You Go account with a card or voucher. You can also top up in the My3 app or at three.co.uk/payg.
- Accessibility: Use Relay UK by prefixing 18001 before 0333 338 1001 (or 333 from a Three phone) for text relay support. You can also enable live captions on compatible devices for voice calls.
- Network status: Check outages before calling at three.co.uk/network-coverage; enter your postcode for localized updates, planned maintenance windows, and fix ETAs.
- Store support: For SIM swaps, device diagnostics, or repairs, find your nearest Three store via three.co.uk/store-locator. Book a slot to avoid queues, especially during lunch hours and Saturdays.
Billing, upgrades, and cancellations—what to prepare before you call
For billing queries, note your bill date, the charge in question, and the usage item (e.g., data session or international call timestamp). Having screenshots from My3 can help the agent escalate to billing operations without a repeat call. If you see a premium or international charge you don’t recognize, ask the agent to place a premium bar and investigate the charge origin; disputes typically take 3–10 working days to resolve depending on the third-party provider.
Upgrades are usually available near your minimum-term end date on handset plans. The My3 app will show your upgrade eligibility and any early upgrade fee. If you’re moving from a device plan to SIM‑only, agents can often apply data boosts or loyalty discounts; ask about 30‑day vs. 12‑month SIM‑only pricing and whether your number of “Go Roam” destinations and hotspot allowances change with the new plan.
To leave Three but keep your number, text PAC to 65075 and give the PAC to your new provider within 30 days. To cancel without keeping the number, text STAC to 75075. If you’re still in contract, ask the agent to calculate your early termination charge and explain any pro‑rata adjustments. Always request confirmation by SMS or email and check your final bill in My3 after the switch completes.
Roaming, lost/stolen, and security
Before traveling, confirm roaming settings in My3 and review current “Go Roam” daily charges and included destinations at three.co.uk/roaming. As of 2024–2025, many Three plans apply a daily roaming fee in Europe and a higher daily fee in “Go Roam Around the World” destinations; these fees, destinations, and fair‑use data limits can change, so verify the latest rates and any monthly caps.
If your phone is lost or stolen, call 333 (or 0333 338 1001 / +44 7782 333 333) immediately to bar your SIM and blacklist the device’s IMEI. If you still have access to My3, you can change your account password, disable voicemail abroad, and review recent usage. File a police report if required by your insurer and keep the incident number and the time you asked Three to bar the line; this can affect liability for subsequent charges.
For extra security, enable a spend cap in My3 to limit unexpected charges, especially when children or secondary users have access to a device. Consider setting a PIN on voicemail and deactivating call forwarding you don’t use; social‑engineering fraud often begins with voicemail access or SIM swap attempts.
Complaints and escalation
If something goes wrong—such as repeated network faults, billing errors, or missed appointments—start with 333 or the web form at three.co.uk/complaints. Keep a clear timeline: dates, times, reference numbers, and screenshots. Ask the agent to log a formal complaint and request the complaint reference; follow up by SMS or email confirmation where possible.
Three will aim to resolve complaints promptly, but complex cases can take a few weeks. If you receive a deadlock letter (formal notice that no agreement can be reached) or 8 weeks pass without resolution, you can escalate to an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme at no cost to you. Three’s current ADR details and Code of Practice are listed at three.co.uk/terms-conditions; check there for the correct ADR contact and process before submitting.
For regulatory guidance and your switching rights, see Ofcom’s consumer advice pages at ofcom.org.uk. Keep all correspondence until the matter is fully resolved and any credits appear on your bill; final bill adjustments often post within 5–10 working days after agreement.
Useful links and final checks before you call
Bookmark these official resources: three.co.uk/support/contact-us (live contact options and hours), three.co.uk/my3 (account), three.co.uk/roaming (travel), three.co.uk/store-locator (in‑person help), three.co.uk/complaints (formal complaints). Using the right number—333, 0333 338 1001, or +44 7782 333 333—will get you to the right team faster, and having your account details to hand will reduce verification time.
Finally, if you rely on your phone for work or critical services, consider a backup eSIM/SIM on a different network and enable Wi‑Fi calling. This mitigates downtime during local outages or while a fault is investigated, and it often costs less than expedited support through third parties.