Bypass The Call Center

beat_the_call_center · 9 March 2010 at 6:08PM

Consumers of the world, unite!

There are often direct dial numbers or tips and tricks for navigating your way through automated answering systems that many (even smaller) companies use to delay you getting to talk to a real human being - or even make money from you by only publishing 087 or 084 number.

Often through a bit of googling I've been able to bypass these numbers and get right through to a company switchboard. I especially do not like it when a company only gives 08 numbers instead of 01 or 02 numbers as I only use a mobile and 08 number are more costly.

Hopefully people will add to this and it will become like a phone directory... so here goes:

Equifax
Don't call the 0844 335 0550 (Calls will be charged at 5p per min)
Instead use their direct dial phone number 0207 298 3000 and ask to be put through to customer services. You'll go into the automated system but you won't pay 5p per minute. Or ask to be put through to reception and you'll speak to a very friendly lady in their offices in Ireland.

p.s. never pay £11.95 for a credit report from Equifax, pay £2 for your Statutory Report. I was told by someone at Equifax that it's exactly the same report!!!