How to avoid 0870 numbers and anything beginning with "08"
If you are tired of being funnelled down an 0870 or 0845 number every time you call your bank, electricity or gas provider, read on.
In our last article, we discussed computer viruses and this topic follows on nicely.
The new social virus that seems to be spreading like a forest fire out of control across the UK is the use of telephone numbers starting with "0870", or indeed anything prefixed with "08".
Let’s get straight to the point - what does this mean in reality?
An 0870 number costs between 1.5 pence and 8 pence per minute to ring. Similarly, but more expensive are 0871 numbers which cost more - between 2 pence per minute and 10 pence per minute. Other 08 numbers charge even more to ring, and the problem is this – how do you know which number costs what?
It's a numbers game
Unless you have a tariff board pinned to your desk or wall, who on earth actually really knows the cost of these numbers when you dial them? Companies from small through the multi-nationals now use these “non-geographical” monstrous numbers and it is costing you money to call them.
Whoever your telephone company is, whether it is Tiscali, Virgin – or even BT – you should know that many of these companies hardly ever include the cost of dialling 08 numbers in their “free calls” packages.
The Real Cost
Just to give you an idea of the sort of prices you will pay for these pointless numbers, we have provided a short list below: |
