Is this an 0844calls scam?

goodValue

I decided to try out Overrride Providers from my landline, after seeing the MSE article about them.
I used the 08442008585 (UK landlines) access number from 0844calls.
As far as I remember each call had an announcement that the call would be 0.5p a minute.
When I got my quarterly bill from the P.O., the charges were much greater (one was 19p for less than a minute).
On the 0844calls website, I found a Contact link and followed this. However, it did not allow you to contact them, but eventually led to a message that charging problems were not their problem, but were due to your original provider (P.O. in my case).
Can this be correct, or is 0844calls passing the buck?

JJ_Egan

See the PO tariff.
15p per call connection charge

goodValue

JJ_Egan wrote: »

See the PO tariff.
15p per call connection charge

If it costs 15p before the call actually starts, then doesn't this make override providers useless with P.O. Homephone?

Ypaymore

Calling 0844 numbers from the Post Office Homephone is a rip off as they increased the cost of calls to all 0844 numbers to 7p a minute from the 14/4/14.

"Call connection charge will increase from 12p to 15p per call.

To help simplify charges calls to numbers beginning with 0844 or 0843 will now all cost 7p a minute regardless of time of day"

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/broadband-phone/pricing-notifications

The announcement you hear refers to calls fom BT .

" The price stated behind every access number is all-inclusive (including VAT). There are no further subscription or connection costs for the international call. Our access numbers are available from BT, Telewest and NTL landlines, mobile phones, pay phones and other call providers. The rates stated are based on BT rates, for all other operators, including mobile operators, please check with your provider for the rates they charge to our access numbers"

http://www.0844calls.co.uk/info.php

Plus you pay for the call even before your connected.

The call checker is wrong yet again.

If you cant use 18185 indirectly. Use their 0808 freephone number 5p connection.1p a minute for cheaper 01/02/03 calls.

http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php

shammyjack

I never reply to companies with these numbers. If you have dealings with them ignore until they write , or , email back requesting a normal landline or freephone number. If no reply, ignore !

niftyone

shammyjack wrote: »

I never reply to companies with these numbers. If you have dealings with them ignore until they write , or , email back requesting a normal landline or freephone number. If no reply, ignore !

But the OP was using the number to obtain cheaper calls ,a legitimate use for these numbers,as recommended by MSE .

The use of them by many companies for customer service purposes was banned some while ago.(Does not apply to all Business Sectors).

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/265898/consumer-contracts-information-cancellation-and-additional-payments-regulations-2013.pdf#page=19&zoom=auto,0,430

goodValue

Ypaymore wrote: »

Calling 0844 numbers from the Post Office Homephone is a rip off as they increased the cost of calls to all 0844 numbers to 7p a minute from the 14/4/14.

"Call connection charge will increase from 12p to 15p per call.

To help simplify charges calls to numbers beginning with 0844 or 0843 will now all cost 7p a minute regardless of time of day"


The announcement you hear refers to calls fom BT .

" The price stated behind every access number is all-inclusive (including VAT). There are no further subscription or connection costs for the international call. Our access numbers are available from BT, Telewest and NTL landlines, mobile phones, pay phones and other call providers. The rates stated are based on BT rates, for all other operators, including mobile operators, please check with your provider for the rates they charge to our access numbers"


Plus you pay for the call even before your connected.

The call checker is wrong yet again.

If you cant use 18185 indirectly. Use their 0808 freephone number 5p connection.1p a minute for cheaper 01/02/03 calls.

If I've read this correctly, then for Post Office Homephone, you have to use the sign-up override providers to get a better deal.
Thanks for the tip, I'll do a trial run at the end of my quarterly period.