Free International Calls From Your Mobile

MSE_Martin
MSE_Martin Posts: 8,272
First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
Money Saving Expert
What's the deal?

Story Telecom a telecommunications provider are giving away 50p worth of credit that can be used to call international numbers from your mobile.

How to get the credit

All you need to do is send a text (charged at your standard network rate) with STORY in the message to 80556 and they will credit your line with 50p worth of calling credit, and once you receive the confirmation text you can start using the credit to call internationally at their cheap rates.

Its great that this is totally free, though it should be remembered by doing this you will be added to its database and it will probably send you (free) texts to try and get you to join its service later.

How does it work?

When you send the text they will credit your line in a similar way to providers such as Teletop, CheapestChat and Topupnow. You then dial their override number; either 0208 497 1007 or 0800 619 1007 which allows you access to the cheap international call rates. While their call rates aren't hugely competitive (you can find cheaper by using the International CallChecker) the credit is free with no strings attached so it's well worth it. For example if you were calling Canada, France or Germany they charge 1p/min so you would get 50 minutes of call time to these destinations.

If you don't have free minutes on your mobile or want to call from a landline you can dial the freephone 0800 number and use the pin code they text you with the credit.

Click here for a full list of rates.

IMPORTANT UPDATE CLARIFICATION NOTE: You won't be charged at all

A few people in the discussion below have questionned this deal, understandly as in the terms and conditions it states there will be a £1.50 automatic renewal charge for people who subscribe.

However, the above is not a subscription, its a trial offer and it doesn't trigger the £1.50 charge, you can simply try it then ditch it with no worries.
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Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.
Please note, answers don't constitute financial advice, it is based on generalised journalistic research. Always ensure any decision is made with regards to your own individual circumstance.
Don't miss out on urgent MoneySaving, get my weekly e-mail at www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips.
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Comments

  • pricefighter
    pricefighter Posts: 2,829 Forumite
    Martin.MSE

    Have you read the additional T&C

    Terms & Conditions:

    You must have a UK mobile and have the bill payer’s permission. One text per Mobile for free credit. This text will be charged at your standard network rates and you will receive up to 50 minutes of FREE talk time.

    Additional T&C for subscribers to the automatic recharge service:

    Once you join us as a subscriber you agree to be automatically charged a further £1.50 BEFORE your credit is about to expire. We will then top-up your mobile with £1.50 of extra talk credit. To unsubscribe simply text STOP to 80876

    Subject to individual mobile phone provider. Some providers may charge for these calls.

    So it looks like you will get lumbered with a £1.50p charge before your free credit runs out.Not so good.

    Also unless you have inclusive 01/02 minutes eg contract users. You would be charged to call the 020/0800 access numbers eg payg users.

    This offer is also a clever way of indirectly promoting their 07744 number. ;)
    PF.
  • jamal_3
    jamal_3 Posts: 34 Forumite
    must be mad to allow them to take an automatic £1.50 charge....

    also... [after the 'free' 50p] their rates are not as good as the other companies martin mentioned..

    so where's the big deal?
  • joey3
    joey3 Posts: 30 Forumite
    1. when i try & get onto the storey website to see rates [link on Martin post above] it always fails???
    2. like prev post this sounds bit strange... coz unless u remember to immediately send STOP to the number to cancel the £1.50 charges... it works out dearer than their direct competition https://www.cheapestchat.com & https://www.teletop.com etc...

    Also, their number looks VERY similar to www.cheapestchat.com!?!
    Are they the same or agents of them or....???
  • redux
    redux Posts: 22,976
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    joey3 wrote:
    Also, their number looks VERY similar to www.cheapestchat.com!?!
    Are they the same or agents of them or....???
    quite likely - their 07744 numbers have a Story announcement, then the same as the Simply-Fone one, so yes, they may be resellers (and in turn have their own)

    Should we list all calls providers that give away a small incentive starting credit? On another thread maybe?
  • MSE_Martin
    MSE_Martin Posts: 8,272
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Money Saving Expert
    See my edit to the post above
    Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.
    Please note, answers don't constitute financial advice, it is based on generalised journalistic research. Always ensure any decision is made with regards to your own individual circumstance.
    Don't miss out on urgent MoneySaving, get my weekly e-mail at www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips.
    Debt-Free Wannabee Official Nerd Club: (Honorary) Members number 000
  • joey3
    joey3 Posts: 30 Forumite
    & for that 50p worth of credit they have your mobile number to add to a database to sell on to advertisers, use as they wish... etc................
    nope! not for me--sorry

    [a cynical Joey!]
  • redux
    redux Posts: 22,976
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Forumite
    Joey, all cheap calls providers have their customers' phone numbers, and there don't seem to be complaints that any of them do this.
  • I wonder if Martin Lewis, the founder of Moneysavingexpert has a vested interest in Storytelecom as my forum contribution was removed twice without any explanation.
  • Not quite the consumer champion it seems.
  • sumeet
    sumeet Posts: 298 Forumite
    This thread seems to be over 3 years old?

    Is there any current way to call international forwarding call numbers out of your free x minutes mobile allowance?
This discussion has been closed.
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