rip off phone lines

peter_fitzpatrick

when applying to the us embassy for a visa you have to use a 0900 number at £1.20p.per min. This it tells you first then it tells you the lines are busy call again then hangs up on you. we were on for 12 sec and charged £1.44p per call ( we got it down to this on the 30th call onwards) After paying £150.00 we finally got through and the call cost £11 to make the appointment. The embassy says it has nothing to do will them as its an outside company who we cants find to complain about Any clues as to either complain to and get some money back it feels like were paying for the oil cleanup personnally

DVardysShadow

It is called gratitude for supporting them in the aftermath of 9 11. I would be interested to know the equivalent charges paid by the cheese eating French surrender Monkeys. The difference would indicate how much gratitude.

McKneff

Just out of curiosity, have a look at saynoto0870 to see if there is an alternative number.

Owain_Moneysaver

Phonepayplus 'regulate' 09x lines. Contact details have to be provided:

5.8 Contact information

For any promotion, the identity and contact details in the UK of either the service provider or information provider, where not otherwise obvious, must be clearly stated. The customer service phone number required in paragraph 3.3.5 must also be clearly stated unless reasonable steps have previously been taken to bring it to the attention of the user or it is otherwise obvious and easily available to the user.



3.3.5 Service providers must ensure that there are in place customer service arrangements which must include a non-premium rate UK customer service phone number and an effective mechanism for the consideration of claims for refunds and their payment where justified.



and


3.3.3 Service providers must use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that all of their services are of an adequate technical quality.


I think there's a case for saying that multiple charged-for 'engaged' calls are not of adequate technical quality, there used under OFCOM rules be specific rules about how preium rate call queues should be handled so that people weren't routinely charged for queueing.

peter_fitzpatrick

thanks I looked at the noto0870 but there was no info. I will contact offcom and see if they can be of any help, but I want this to help any others how get caught in this rip off of charging you then hanging up

moonrakerz

Why bother going there ? If they want to make it as difficult/expensive as possible for would-be visitors - do the obvious and go elsewhere.

Really upset them and go to an Arab country - Iran ? :D

peter_fitzpatrick

ofcom put me in touch with phonepayplus who monitor 09 call operators they had already recieved several complaints and put me through to a number where the us embassy had set up a special complaint line ( so there wasn't an outside company after all) . I had so register and they said they would reply in 48 hr . Looks like I might be getting somewhere will keep udating

Steveseven

cant you apply online?
http://www.usavisa.com/

OldGreyFox

Steveseven wrote: »

cant you apply online?
xxxxxxxx

Thats a completely unofficial rip off service your mentioning.

peter_fitzpatrick

as reguarding appying online the embassy will not accept any other way otf contacting them than the 09 number Any email recieves a instant reply saying they will not answer you and all information is somewhere on their site and find it yourself. I phoned the complaint line and left my details, they said they would contact me in 24- 48 hrs & days later I'm still waiting . I'm now going to phone every day to see if I get an answer. will update