O2 & Buchanan Clark & Wells

A question about : O2 & Buchanan Clark & Wells

Hi there
I was a member here before, but can't for the life of me remember my old username.
I have been an O2 customer for 10+ years, but 2 years ago I had a fall which has left me disabled. I couldn't work, so was in receipt of ESA, which they stopped after a WCA (which I'm disputing) back at the end of May (well, the WCA was before that but my income was stopped then).
Obviously having no income, meant I was unable to pay any of my bills, and relied on help from family just to keep my head above water.
I kept O2 informed of this along the way, and against medical advice, I started work on 12th August as I needed to make ЈЈЈ to cover bills etc before I lost everything else - including my home.
O2 promised to hold my account for me until I was able to pay at the end of Sept, and I called them to make a payment (the phone has been D/C since 12th August) yesterday, only to be told it's been handed over to Buchanan Clark & wells (not sold - O2 just confirmed they still own the debt but BCW are acting on their behalf). BCW were extremely rude to me, and said that if I don't pay the full Ј880 for my airtime contract, they'll be round quicker than you know it, to start reposessing your belongings & there's nothing you can do about it and they also said, that O2 had stated my phone couldn't be reconnected - which O2 denied on the phone shortly after. O2 said it could be reconnected if you make a payment to them then it can be recalled. I called O2 today to get some clarification on this as BCW are still refusing to take anything less than the full amount, and refusing to hand it back to O2 to continue, and the woman was so bloody rude to me she had me in tears. I said that the CAB had informed me that if the debt hadnt been sold on, O2 CAN recall it from BCW so that it can be restarted, but she refused to give me any real answer as to why they won't do it.
I've had the same number for 10 years, before that it was my now deceased mother's phone number. Part of me still wants that exact number for sentimental reasons, and the rest of me just wants to be able to have a phone again and be able to contact people without doing hundreds of miles for work every week & panicking that should anything happen, I have no way of getting in touch with anyone.
I was just wondering if there is any way I can persuade O2 to recall it, or any way I can get this sorted without the mega damage to my credit file, when it really wasn't my fault. I didn't ask to be put in that position, and now I'm being threatened by a ruthless DCA as a result of being screwed over by the DWP.
I am now being refused by other companies when I apply for a basic contract.

Best answers:

• My advice would be to write to O2. Phoning them you just end up with some poor call centre operator who can't do anything except take payments. I've had two disputes with O2 over the last six months (both O2's fault) and it has taken letters to get things sorted out.
  Good luck