Say No to 0870!

Fran

Info can be found here:-

Trading Standards Website

System

This thread must get back on track - to the charlatans who use 0870 numbers to extract cash from consumers.

Why can consumers not see that they are being ripped of, and that OFTEL/OFCOM are assisting companies to 'rob' us, when they were intended to be OUR champions? Ask your MP !!

The number of firms now opting for these 0870 numbers is growing (how long till 999 becomes 0870xxx??), other Government agencies are already well into 0845, and one post I read said his local doctor now has an 0870 number!!!

It is all very well to say we can choose not to contact by this method, and I agree, but the method of advertising them as 'only charged at National rate' in order to make consumers THINK they are only paying the same as ordinary numbers like 0132xxxxx is scandalous. We need more transparency, as has been said already. >:(

System

Absolutely correct Scabbard,

We need to get back on topic and concentrate on what we can do to get this abuse prohibited. The main thing to concentrate on is that it is A CONTRAVENTION OF THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERING SYSTEM in every respect, and the only reason it continues is that Oftel and Ofcom have not enforced the regulations as they should have done. That after all was their remit; to enforce the regulations impartially. That is what a Regulator is supposed to be for? We must also query why it is that they have continuously shied away from regulating impartially? What nepotism or corruption may have been involved? It is absolutely clear that there must have been some, because their actions so far do not correlate with their responsibilities as the Regulator to be impartial.

Also concentrate on the fact that the main reason for the escalation of this abuse is the fact that queuing is permitted with NGNs other than 090 but prohibited with 090. It is this which enables the big money to be made by the entities exploiting this scam to the full!

It has just been published in the media that BT is to make millions and millions more profit out of their current stealth increases, such as the one of forcing all of their current line rental only customers to their Option 1.

You have to ask the simple question: which telco is being able to increase their profits the most as a direct result of the "decisions" of Ofcom, and of their failure to regulate impartially? (It clearly cannot be BT.) If you ask that question you may also be able to conclude whether any corruption or nepotism is taking place, and if so it would be that which would enable this abuse to continue and increase, due to a continued failure by Ofcom to regulate?

System

WARNING about Trojan internet diallers:

I am posting the full warning under "Trojans with OneTel & other Select telcos". I place a warning here because some of them dial 0871 or 0870. Please look at this warning.

Nikki184x

Any bright ideas anyone <<< PREVIOUS POST

Just join talk talk as their 0870 number is free as all talk talk customers talk to talk talk for free as well as each other!!!

gibby

can we ask out telephone providers to bar 0870/0845 etc so we dont call em.

if enough ppl did this they might take notice

I did email a few firms I use telling them my call package wont allow my to call these numbers (little fib)
they all said they would look into it

G

mat01

I have got my own 0871 number that re-routes calls to my home phone line. It pays me 5 pence per minute. I have given it as a contact number to banks, utility companies etc. So far nobody has said that they can't accept it as a number. I am looking forward to earning lots of money from those who earn money from me. ::)

System

mat01.
Ok, but how many times would I be expecting THEM to be phoning ME? Would still need to go thru their 0870 to ASK them to phone me back? If they have a website with 'call-back' I would use that anyway - so where's the advantage?
But I can understand your motives, while not condoning the action. In effect it would mean we would all need to set up these 0871 numbers for ourselves, and add to the present confusion.
I would prefer more simplicity - transparency of 0870 numbers or make them Premium, so that ppl would know the scam.

drrdf

Scabbard,

Yes and so they could no longer make us queue!

mat01

Hi Scabbard : Whilst I agree it would be better not to have the 0870/1 numbers at all, if people insist on bothering me with cold calls, or want to phone me regarding customer service, then they wil have to pay for it.

Why should I pay for the priviledge of hanging on the phone in a queue for ten minutes whilst cold callers get to speak to me for local rates?

I now only give out my 0871 number. Everybody (no friends) has it as a contact number - I've so far made about 40p in one month. Better than losing 40p?