How to beat premium-rate telephone numbers
Many companies use premium-rate telephone numbers for their customer service and support lines. Moneywise TV explains how you can beat costly calls once and for all.
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The next time you need to phone a company or service then think before you dial.
Numbers that start 0844, 0845, 0870 or 0871 will cost you more than geographical numbers that begin 01, 02 or 03.
Calls to these numbers will cost up to 10p a minute so you could see your phone bill shoot up if you have a complicated enquiry or, more likely, have to hold for a while.
While 0870 calls must be included in call bundles or inclusive minutes, phone providers can get out of this by making the exclusion clear in their advertising or promotional.
Plus, other 08 numbers are likely to fall outside any bundle you enjoy from your home phone provider and will almost definitely be excluded from any free minutes you receive from your mobile phone operator.
You may also not know that the vast majority of mobile phone packages will charge for calls to freephone numbers starting 0800 or 0808.
Companies which use 0871 are allowed to revenue share with the phone service provider – so the longer you stay on the phone, the more money it will make from you.
Some phone operators are starting to include 0845 and 0870 on some packages, so if you call these numbers a lot then it might be worth switching your provider.
However, the easiest way to avoid shelling out for premium-rate numbers is to avoid them altogether.
The website ‘say no to 0870 dot com’ is one of the best resources there is. It lists countless companies and provides their geographical and even freephone numbers that can be dialed as an alternative to the 08 number advertised.
The website also has a free iPhone app so you can find alternative numbers on the go.
If you can’t find a company on this site, don’t despair. Most companies will provide a calling from overseas number on their websites, which should begin in the format +44. This is a normal rate telephone number and can be used even when calling from within the UK – meaning
you pay nothing if you have inclusive minutes provided by your landline or mobile phone provider.
Alternatively, if there is a geographic number of the head office listed on its website, then call this and ask to be transferred to customer services.
Another option is to use a telephone discounter such as 18185 dot co dot UK. All you do is dial the prefix before the telephone number of the company you want to reach, and you should pay a cheaper rate. Prices do vary however, so it pays to do your sums first.
1200 doctors' surgeries now use an 0844 number for which you have to pay premium rates, (with no alternative). So much for a free NHS.
For calls to 0800 from telephone check 0800buster.co.uk
Dial 01208 34 0800 and then the 0800, 0808 and 0500
Watch out for lastminute.com. I booked theatre tickets for a London theatre only to arrive and find the theatre closed. So much for my mother's 80th birthday treat, not to mention the 500 mile round trip to London and hotel accommodation. My recompense was a refund of my ticket money and a £20 e-voucher which has taken a computer expert to find and download! I have yet to try using it as I no longer trust lastminute.com. So if you book any tickets with lastminute.com always check with the venue before turning up.
When I was a GP, we were forbidden to use premium rate numbers,
I thnk you are being economical with the truth.
I have a package with Talk Talk and all calls are free 24/7. However they do charge for 0844 numbers and as previously stated there are no alternative numbers, Its a rip off for my situation.
I have tried several times looking at "SAY NO TO 0870" but there are no numbers. However If I have to phone 0845 or 0870 I usually get an alternative number from SAY NO TO 0870.
Our Doctors use 0844 why? I know the GP's had a large rise a couple of years ago so why do us poor pensioners give them even more? I like many people--mothers with young children old people etc.etc--. go down to the surgery and wait for it to open so that we can make an app. I recently had to ring as was too ill to stand in the cold and hung on and on and when i received my bill I nearly went through the floor. Why O why did it cost me so much to make an app. with my GP? Come on Docs I think it should be free and let the Doctors cover it with their huge salaries!
I think that the government should ban the use of these numbers, which people incurr excessive charges.
They certainly should not take part in the use of them.
I would appreciate it if you could bear in mind that there are a great many people in poorly served country area who cannot view your video because of very bad broadband speeds. It has just taken me 40 mins to listen to the video in 5 seconds bursts. Please may we have text versions?
I tried searching for the alternative number to an 0845 number using the Don't pay to call website. I got two alternative numbers for the Transport for London but they refused or failed to pick it up. I had to use the 0845 number in the end after countless attempts. It is ridiculous and annoying. Big rip off!
I live in the Erdington area of Birmingham and still dial the original tel number for my doctors and get through. See if you can do that unless its been barred....goof luck
I continued to call my surgery's old number when they adopted an 0844 number, and still got through. after several patients complained, they have reverted to a "normal" number. I believe 0844 numbers are not premium rate numbers, but are suppopsed to be local rate charges. They are more for the convenience of the statistics available to the "owner" of the number, however, they are rarely included in free call plans by telephone providers.
Get up petitions to have them abolished if they affect you.
Nonsense.
All GPs have been forbidden to use 0844 numbers.
You can report any who do so.
In any case, there were never 1200 surgeries using them.
110% of all statistics are wrong.
I too have a phone package that saves money on land-line phone calls and am aware of most of the alternatives above.
What needs to be highlighted is the outrageous way in which BT are increasing call costs at a time when telecommunications technology is steadily getting cheaper. Their customer service in recent years has not been good, and the pages of minuscule small print attached to their bills an advertising always infuriated me so I left them.
Sadly some of the alternative suppliers such as Talk Talk also have dreadful customer service record. They can be cheaper but when something goes wrong heaven help you. Another alternative I am considering is the well advertised Yorkshire ISP PlusNet but they are owned by BT so what do you do?
It is unlikely that this Tory coalition will favour the consumer over big business so what do we do?
There is also another way to find the geographical number.
Google the name of the firm using the premium rate number and find the location. Look up the std code for that area, then google the name of the firm including the area code, in the search line and quite often google will give you the area code (you gave) followed by the full number. It is not as good as using SayNoTo0870 but it does work sometimes.
Alternatively phone the head office (usually a standard call) and ask to be put through. Sometimes they will tell you to call an 0845 or similar number, in which case I tell them that I never make calls to those numbers and if they don't put me through,then I will email them. Sometimes this works, especially if you are polite but firm. If everybody did this then they would get rid of the premium numbers.
Can you please tell me if the premium call numbers referred to are from landlines or just mobiles. I never call 0844 or 0845 numbers etc from a mobile so perhaps I am OK ringing from a landline?
SKY is the worst offender !! Although saynoto0870 will list several geographical and Freephone numbers they are all answered with the message ' This number is no longer in use' and then gives an 0844 number. Because of this impossibility to contact Sky without having to pay - my home package does not include 0844 numbers - I have now simply emailed them to give 30 days notice to quit, stopped my Direct Debit and explained the reason why. If more people did this Sky would change its attitude, I think !
My doctor's surgery also has a 0244 no. But it also has a local dialling code .
Use that.
I like many of you are fed up with incurring costs when I am a customer and only need a service which they should provide FOC - my big gripe is with the banks!!
The following website is great and if everybody who uses it takes the time to post alternative numbers to build up a 'directory' if the number is not already listed, it could be a fantastic source .......
SAYNOTO0870.COM
'Look after the pennies and the £'s will take care of themselves'
Whenever I come across an 0844 (or similar premium rate number I contact the organisation by e-mail telling them that I assume they really don't want my business and I am going to a competitor. I did change doctors because of this. The new doctor not only has a geographical number but also seems far more concerned about my health than the old one. I think that a caring company/proffesional behaves towards you far better in all respects when they care about the cost of the call to the client.
I too routinely give the gift of feedback to any company that uses an 08 number by way of email corespondence. My actions also follow the comments - I give my business to the more attractive opposition with an honest 01, 02 or 03 number. Keep telling them - somethings may change in the future.
I complained to my MP about a £3.64 bill I had for one phone call being held in a queue of 72 callers to my GP office (which will only make same day appointments, none in advance so it creates the queues and thus the money).
Apparently doctors have been told they must stop using 0844 numbers, but some have signed contracts so they are being allowed to keep their systems until the contract runs out, I believe end of 2012.
When I come across an 0844 or similar premium rate number, I do not deal with that company or organisation.
I have not yet found that I could not get the item or service elsewhere and cheaper.
When I come across an 0844 or similar premium rate number, I do not deal with that company or organisation.
I have not yet found that I could not get the item or service elsewhere and cheaper.
When I come across an 0844 or similar premium rate number, I do not deal with that company or organisation.
I have not yet found that I could not get the item or service elsewhere and cheaper.
Say No to 0870 is a great site.
It's worth registering at TPS / FPS but by no means do they stop all unwanted calls.
I've argued this out with all the quangos and they are USELESS! Just look at the number of people who are being bombarded by these unwanted calls on the site WHOCALLSME!
The only answer you get from Oftel etc. is that ultimately the legislation is inadequate.
Surely these days someone could invent a 'phone that had a 'BLOCK LAST CALLER' button!
Donworn.
Kingsteignton Medical Practice in Devon uses an 0844 number. They also have recorded options from which you need to choose - Appointments being the last option. A while back my telephone bill showed a charge of £1.36 for a 25 minute call. All I wanted to do was make an appointment.
Even HMRC have 0845 numbers - so one has the pleasure of paying whilst waiting!
Tax credits helpline is also an 0845 number and the alternative number given on saynoto0870 resulted in a message saying it's an international number and cannot be used by callers in the UK!
Considering that it took 15mins to get through and people calling will presumably be on a low income, its outrageous that a government department is using these numbers.
The DSS use 0845 numbers to enquire about some job vacancies which I believe is scandalous considering the people having to pay are unemployed and I feel that instead of making it easy for people to apply for jobs the government is making it more difficult and in my opinion is the last people who should be using these numbers.
There are scum all around us and they will multiply, all we can do is keep complaining. If you stop using a service because of their underhand dealings, tell them, not just once, regularly, especially if it's free. If you get any advertising from them, send it back (without postage) and tell them they are scum. It may get through but don't hold your breath. Government departments and services, preying on the vulnerable, really are the pits.
What if it's your doctor?
Our doctors surgery (Queensway Medical centre) changed to 0844 a couple of year back. It now costs an average of 75p to get an appointment, the reason being as follows.
1: Telephone the 0844 number
2: you are the directed to (I think) Kettering, where you have to wait to be directed to the surgery.
3: You then arrive at the surgery, and are told to wait as they are experiencing a large number of calls. You will be advised what number you are in the queue.
As previously stated by others, being a pensioner makes you think about phone calls, normally I use "SAY NO TO 0870" but I cannot get an alternative Number for the surgery.
Reading an article it states that Doctors surgery's should not be using the NON GEOGRAPICAL NUMBERS, so why is this still happening?
Perhaps one Day we will get some answers, in the meantime I will be writing to my MP Mr Peter Bone and asking why this is still happening.
Abbey (Santander) blocks callers/customers ringing from within the UK when attempting to call using the international geographic numbers that they publish .... but entered without the +44 UK code.
How rude is that?
Presumably a money generating scam that is offensive to hitherto loyal customers!
I tried "say no to 0870 numbers" and got an alternative, but when I used it to phone a company, I was told quite bluntly that I should not use this number in future as it was for overseas callers only!! Anybody had this problem before?
high rate nos my doctors uses 0844 iput in a complaint about this and said i use my mobile to make calls the answer i got the numbers here to stay shame on u doctors
Our local Surgery in Ibstock, Leicestershire has an 0844 number, it costs up to £1.25 to get an appointment as you have to listen to all the options before being directed to the receptionist. ivormai
I recently emailed my local NHS service to complain about the use of an 0844 number by my Cambridge GP practice and got the following reply, which is untrue, as my phone provider does not include 0844 numbers in my Unlimited Anytime bundle, whereas geographical numbers are included. Where do I go from here?
'Further to your recent email I have spoken to our GP commissioners who have given the following response:
Cherry Hinton Health Centre and Brookfields Medical Centre receive their telephone service from Network Europe Group (NEG) who have confirmed that the 0844 number costs no more to call, than if you rang a geographical number. We have a copy of the statement from this telephone service supplier confirming this.
All GP practices were issued a contract variation (effective) 1st April 2010, which required them to comply with the regulations concerning the issue of cost to patients when ringing the practice, that is that patients will not pay more to ring them as they would if they had rung a geographical number. As such Practices will have met their contractual obligations.'
i use say no to 0870 but cannot find an alternative no for nhs24
GP practices that use 0844 are knowingly ripping off their patients many of whom are totally unaware that they are paying way above the local rate that these numbers falsely (and knowingly) claim is the case. The universal practice of routing the caller through a minefield of options and and warnings that the "call will be recorded etc" is invariably a ploy to enhance profit. It never used to be the case before 0844 did it? Furthermore many of these patients are already on or close to the breadline but are so desperate for treatment that they have to make the call irrespective of cost. It is amazing that these GP's do not realise what the impact of their policy is on the most vulnerable and needy of their patients. The true cost of these calls should be made fully aware to all potential users. Depending on your telecomms provider it can, unbelievably, be cheaper to call Australia than your local GP! In such cases one has to question the true priorities of the Practice - patient care takes second place to profit. Hardly the approach we want from what used to be a vocational and caring profession we used to respect and admire. Perhaps it is time to name and shame and for the GP's concerned to reassess their priorities and their professional ethos.
I stopped using Sky because of their use of premium rate numbers. I asked for an alternative number and they refused to give me one. I said I would not renew my contract and they said that was my choice.Last year I heard that Sky made £750,000 from their phone lines so why should losing an odd customer worry them?
Sky also do this. They make a lot of money from these phone lines. They deliberately keep people holding on.
To the person who said there is no local number for tax credits on say no to 0870. There is a local number, i got it off the website a couple of weeks ago. Its 0191 206 1385. It does work as i rang an spoke to someone.
I have the same with Sky. I pay £5 a month for talk unlimited but 0845 (etc) numbers are not included and often no alternative on Say no to 0870.
and you can't get through to an 0844 from abroad half the time! I had to call a neighbour to call the doctor for me, who finally gave me a mobile I could call.
I like yourself have a Talk Talk package which is very good as I can phone New Zealand when ever I like, at no cost. However our doctors also have 0844 number where as you say we have to pay.
I normally use Say No To 0870 and save a fortune as most number have an alternative. I thought I saw somewhere the NHS should not be using the 0844 number, but cannot remember where.
Hi all, Look at o2 for your phone line. I'm with o2 and get 'FREE' calls to 0845 & 0870. It works out to roughly 2 hours per week and the service is good and the help lines are always polite and helpful.
If you can afford to move your business elsewhere to avoid 0844, tell the company why. The more that do that, the quicker something will be done.
i also use a doctor who uses premium rate number i complained because i use only a mobile phone so charges primimum rates i complained and told they were not going to change numbers so now i use email to get my tablets etc
Absolutely true! As to mobile phone calls to 0800 numbers – I would like to ask what stops people to use BT phone booths which you can find everywhere?
WHen it is the GPs surgery it is not possible to not use 'their services'.
My GP also uses 0844 numbers and it costs a fortune, another tax on the sick!
If more Patients took their Phone Bills and Mobile Charges to show GPs after getting their Appointment there is no way that the GP can say their 0844/0845 number Complies with NHS Rules - it does not.
All 0844/5/3 and 0870 numbers have the option to migrate to 0344/5/3 and 0370 without Penalty during the Term of their Telephone Contract as their Provider already has the 03 number version supplied by Ofcom well over a year ago (not sure of the date) so there is No Excuse anymore.
To be a GP used to be a Vocation and a person to be looked upto, but now it seems to have been degraded to just a Job pulling in many instances over £200,000 p.a plus and these 0844 numbers are being used to make Patients pay for Surgery Furniture e.g their Phone System Shame on them and with 0844 they want Cream on their Cake !!!!