Mobile calls to 0800 numbers

billsavings

MillicentBystander wrote: »

I must be lucky as I reckon 95% of the time it's found an alternative number. Saved me a fair wad since I downloaded it. Superb app.

Good to hear that.

Tried it yesterday to call HMRC Self Assessment Helpline 0845 9000 444 put me through,and got an announcement saying it recognises i am calling from the UK and the number they connected me to is only for overseas callers.

The other day used it to call Holiday Inn Central Reservations and it put me straight through to one of their hotels.

Techhead_2

billsavings wrote: »

Good to hear that.

Tried it yesterday to call HMRC Self Assessment Helpline 0845 9000 444 put me through,and got an announcement saying it recognises i am calling from the UK and the number they connected me to is only for overseas callers.

The other day used it to call Holiday Inn Central Reservations and it put me straight through to one of their hotels.

This is also a problem with sites like say no to 0870. There are two reasons for this: many numbers are unverified and for 08 numbers that use call handling services (that are only available on non-geographic numbers) there simply isn't a geographic equivalent.

The ideal solution would be for companies to change their business to use 03 numbers.

Roger1

darrenforster99 wrote: »

... it is good that GiffGaff allow free calls to 0800 numbers, you just have to top up once every 3 months.

Have you told giffgaff about this?

0800, 0808 and 0500 numbers are free with no mention of topping up. http://giffgaff.com/index/pricing

Roger1

billsavings wrote: »

... got an announcement saying it recognises i am calling from the UK and the number they connected me to is only for overseas callers.

There are lots of saddo companies like that, including British Airways and other travel companies, some credit card companies and Transport for London travel enquiries.

A way around this can be to use the 141 prefix to conceal your own number. This can also be used with 18185 - I tried 141 18185 and the number and got through. (I don't know yet how much I have been charged.)

virgo17

Roger1 wrote: »

Have you told giffgaff about this?

0800, 0808 and 0500 numbers are free with no mention of topping up. http://giffgaff.com/index/pricing

Indeed.

It is Giffgaff to Giffgaff calls and texts that are charged for beyond three months following the top up. Calls to 0800, 0808 & 0500 are free regardless of top up date.

christhedon

How do these call rerouting companies for 0800 numbers make money from you calling their landline numbers?

Cheers,

Chris

victor2

Roger1 wrote: »

There are lots of saddo companies like that, including British Airways and other travel companies, some credit card companies and Transport for London travel enquiries.

A way around this can be to use the 141 prefix to conceal your own number. This can also be used with 18185 - I tried 141 18185 and the number and got through. (I don't know yet how much I have been charged.)

I tried calling a credit card's overseas customer number and even with a 141 prefix it recognised I was calling from the UK and just played a recording telling me to call the 0845 number.

hpuse

Here is another option to dial 08 numbers free from mobile without depending on a data connection or mobile app.

a) download & register your mobile number with Skype.
b) Add some topup or search for a voucher code that give £1 free skype credit
c) Skype will send you a free Skype To Go local access 0203 number.
d) Store the number in your mobile

Default Skype to Go number (0203 number) will then recognise your mobileCLI. To dial 0800 number, dial skype to go 0203 access number and then +44800nnnnnn . Bingo !

niftyone

hpuse wrote: »

Here is another option to dial 08 numbers free from mobile without depending on a data connection or mobile app.

a) download & register your mobile number with Skype.
b) Add some topup or search for a voucher code that give £1 free skype credit
c) Skype will send you a free Skype To Go local access 0203 number.
d) Store the number in your mobile

Default Skype to Go number (0203 number) will then recognise your mobileCLI. To dial 0800 number, dial skype to go 0203 access number and then +44800nnnnnn . Bingo !

Why bother doing all that when you can dial direct useing a service like http://www.0800buster.co.uk/.

hpuse

niftyone wrote: »

Why bother doing all that when you can dial direct useing a service like http://www.0800buster.co.uk/.

Well, it is a personal choice end of the day;i.e whether to disclose your private number/CLI to a service run by an individual or to a corporate?

Though I don't trust any of this "big corporates", it is safe to assume there are some default data privacy rules setup when they handle your calls.