MSE News: 'Just been charged £183 for one call via 118 118' – that's more than a sex

malcolm_gaskin

I've been caught out twice this year. Both asking for a simple number like the AA then carried on been billed £25 plus VAT both times. Is this LEGAL?
Whyis the Office of Fair Trading not doing something about this. What isthe cheap alternative?

poppasmurf_bewdley

malcolm_gaskin wrote: »

I've been caught out twice this year. Both asking for a simple number like the AA then carried on been billed £25 plus VAT both times. Is this LEGAL?
Whyis the Office of Fair Trading not doing something about this. What isthe cheap alternative?

I can see you are a Newbie and we are asked to be nice to you.

I have to presume you are a sensible person. But you have been caught out not once but twice. And both times asking for an easy to find number like the AA. And then you think it's easier for them to connect you instead of dialling the number yourself.

I also presume you have access to the internet, as you are on this forum.

How can the Office of Fair Trading, or any other consumer organisation, protect people from themselves? How can they prevent people from being stupid? To be honest, I don't know the answer to those questions.

But the answer to your final question is that blob of grey matter sitting above and behind your eyes.

Ian011

AnnoyedGran wrote: »

I phoned 11118 in the dark (literally) as I had a power cut and wanted to contact the Electricity company.

From April or May 2016 there will be a free to caller emergency number for power cuts and blackouts.

Ofcom is currently holding a consultation on the details. The number 105 has been nominated for this service.

rightdave_2

Candyapple wrote: »

I really don't understand why in this day and age people are still using 118.

A quick Google search for the company and phone number you are looking for, and if it is an 0870/0845 number, just download one of the numerous free apps on your smartphone that dial the number for you but you are never charged for as it comes out of your minutes allowance.

Or failing that, use the 'say no 0870' website.

Or if you absolutely must use 118, why not just get the number, hang up and then redial it yourself?

A fool and his money are soon parted springs to mind.

Well, aren't you a charmer! Not everyone has Internet access! I rather think you are the FOOL for believing it is as easy as you state for everyone. Your arrogance is astounding and very sad to see.

Ypaymore

Lots of useful info here how to cut DQ costs.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/directory-enquiries-free

jed_stoner

I have just been charged £7.02 for a 118 118 call from my landline phone to to ask for a number not connecting , the call lasted 1 minute 2 seconds

robin58

Consumerist wrote: »

I can't remember the last time I used directory enquiries. I wonder how often it's used by employees so the employer picks up the tab.

More than you think.

When working at my last job the company made it a monthly issue in the companies business email.

The company had a deal with a directory enquries service but not with the one the employees were using.

I think at the time they reported about a £30,000 annual overspend at the time by the staff using the wrong numbers over the whole national company sites.

Puffinz

My disabled step son has been cahrged £35.02 by 118118 for asking for the number of the Samaritans and did not understand the cost of "being connected" by them. He has cerebral palsy and Autism. I have emailed a complaint to 118118 asking for their policy on how they treat disabled and vunerable people but they will not answer. I have tried Ofcom, and they just say submit a complaint. I'm going round in circles.

Ian011

For future reference, Samaritans has a number which is free from landlines and from mobiles.

The number is 116123 and has been in operation in the UK since 2009.

MrSmith778

This is unacceptable and has to stop.
Anyone justifying 118's costs are wrong. You only have to Google 118 and its very obvious that there is something amiss.
The fact that it is mentioned in all the major papers, watchdog and on MSE for months and yet still nothing has happened is not acceptable.
I'm not prepared to let the vulnerable in our society get stung by these services as no-one thinking clearly would use it.
I have emailed David Cameron. I will be contacting Watchdog and I will make sure I keep shouting until something is done. I would urge anyone with any moral standing to do the same.
It's always upsetting to hear people try and justify these services. Bad apples who justify these Scams are a minority thankfully but everyone else should always make sure they shout until its sorted. Google First_they_came