Charges for 01 number calls at 'local rate'

SkintCharl

I am in the process of moving house and have been using the Rightmove property site. This site lists the agents selling the properties along with a number with a local dialling code.

I have just received a mobile phone bill including £150 worth of additional calls. I have not gone over my allowed minutes and even pay extra to have 300mins of calls to 08 numbers.

I have investigated this and discovered the local rate numbers listed are not actually the correct numbers of the estate agents but are forwarded through. When you look on the site there is a link next to the number saying 'local call', clicking on this brings up a box which explains this is a local call rate any may be included in your package.

It is far from clear that calling these numbers will incur additional charges and I really can't afford to pay £150, hence why I'm moving house in the first place.

Can anybody help? Is there anyway to get these charges cancelled or claim the money back?

Thanks.

d123

What was the actual code you were dialling?

SkintCharl

It was 0113

SkintCharl

Looked just like an ordinary landline number, that's why I expected it to be included in my normal minutes.

d123

SkintCharl wrote: »

Looked just like an ordinary landline number, that's why I expected it to be included in my normal minutes.

You need to complain to your network, any std dialling code has to be charged as such.

They can't exclude a normal number from normal charging.

Just had a look at Rightmove, they don't say the numbers are anything other than normal numbers.

How much will it cost me to call the number displayed on the site?
Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles apply and calls may be included in your telecom provider's call package.

DonnyDave

SkintCarl, the page on Rightmove is here.

You are correct, they are indeed geographic numbers. I suggest that you need to query this with your mobile provider as it is it which has overcharged you.

The geographic prefix 0113 441 was allocated in May 2012, so it could be the case that it is new and so, for some reason, the billing system isn't set correctly. Clearly this doesn't excuse it, but it could perhaps explain what has happened.

Neil49

Thanks for highlighting this money making scheme.

I'm currently looking to move house and also hadn't realised that the numbers weren't the genuine ones direct to the estate agents.

Sorry to hear you have incurred charges and I hope you can get something back. The popup box information is very misleading and Rightmove should amend it asap.

DonnyDave

Neil49 wrote: »

Thanks for highlighting this money making scheme.

I'm currently looking to move house and also hadn't realised that the numbers weren't the genuine ones direct to the estate agents.

Sorry to hear you have incurred charges and I hope you can get something back. The popup box information is very misleading and Rightmove should amend it asap.

You are correct that these similar numbers are set-up by Rightmove (the clue being that they are similar barring the last few digits).

However, the overcharging can only ever be by the caller's provider. Just because SkintCarl's provider has overcharged him does not mean that all will do.

d123

Neil49 wrote: »

Thanks for highlighting this money making scheme.

I'm currently looking to move house and also hadn't realised that the numbers weren't the genuine ones direct to the estate agents.

Sorry to hear you have incurred charges and I hope you can get something back. The popup box information is very misleading and Rightmove should amend it asap.

As Dave says, this is being charged in error by the network provider, it isn't a "money making scheme" by Rightmove.

The network needs to fix the fault and refund.

Ypaymore

If you go to http://www.telecom-tariffs.co.uk/codelook.htm and enter the full/part number your find its described as a Virtual Geographic Number supplied by Content Guru.

www.contentguru.com

As your see they provide cloud-based communications integration services to large outfits like Rightmove.

If you have inclusive 01/02/03 minutes with your mobile provider it should be included and as already pointed its something your network will need to sort out for you.