Non-mobile 07 numbers - charges

shortcrust

I've been charged for a call I made to an 07 number a few days ago. It was a call to a plumber and there was nothing to tell me that it was a non-mobile number. The prefix isn't mentioned in my provider's list of non-mobile numbers, helpfully "correct as of October 2013".

It's only 75p so I'm not going to lose sleep, but it seems unfair that you can incur charges without any way of knowing in advance. Is it unreasonable to expect to be notified before connecting to these numbers? I get similar notifications when I dial other chargeable numbers.

grumbler

It isn't unreasonable, but, unfortunately, the practice is different.

If it wasn't listed in the list, you could have claimed the charge back.

Ian011

There are four types of numbers starting 07 that are non-inclusive and chargeable.

These are:
Mobile numbers with various prefixes within the 071-075 and 077-079 ranges which are registered in Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man.
Mobile numbers with various prefixes within the 071-075 and 077-079 ranges which are used by various automated and interactive dial-through services.
Personal numbers starting 070. These are not mobile numbers.
Pager numbers starting 076.

From 1 May 2015, Ofcom set reduced caps on the Mobile Termination Rate and extended them to cover all UK providers. As such, the second category in the above list should no longer exist.

What were the next FOUR digits after the leading zero seven?



See also
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=68616164&postcount=3

shortcrust

It was 07937. Jersey Telecom apparently. Oh well.

GordonKG

Here is what happened to me. I stated an interest in a used car part on Breakeryard.com.

I received an email offer for a part and I called the 0701 number given in the email from my 3 PAYG mobile. I thought I was ringing a mobile so I expected 3p a minute. More fool me.

Eight minutes into the call just as I was finalising the purchase my mobile disconnected with a message saying I had run out of credit. I think I had about £10 when I started, maybe a little less.

So on page 26 of the 3 PAYG Price Guide, 070 numbers are "Personal numbering" and are divided into bands 1, 2 and 3. I must have called a band 2 (£1.04p per min) or a band 3 (£1.22 + 85.5p per minute).

I feel like I have been mugged for £10 by Breakersyard.com as they have in no way indicated to me the cost of the call. I could call their customer service to complain but that is also an 0701 number.

They did find me the part and the supplier they put me in touch with seems very decent but they have cheated a big fee out of me. My advice is never call an 070 number and take your business elsewhere if that is all that is offered.

Silk

GordonKG wrote: »

I feel like I have been mugged for £10 by Breakersyard.com as they have in no way indicated to me the cost of the call. I could call their customer service to complain but that is also an 0701 number.

It shows a Complaints number of 0208 517 8755 on the website

Ian011

I don't know why businesses such as this persist with using these 070 numbers. Revenue sharing was banned in 2009 so they don't get a share of the revenue. What they do get is the number for nothing and all calls forwarded to any landline or mobile for nothing. Their telecoms supplier walks away with a fat profit and callers are left feeling robbed. They would get the same facilities with callers paying half that amount if they swapped to an 087 number.

As the benefit to them of using an 070 number is clearly more than 10p per minute including VAT, the number you called is classed as a Controlled Premium Rate Service. There are a number of rules which they must follow. It may be useful to make a complaint to PhonepayPlus and you might be able to obtain a refund.

Additionally, Regulation 41 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 came into force on 13 June 2014. It requires post sales helplines, where offered, must use numbers starting 01, 02, 03 or 080. If this hasn't been done, you can complain to Trading Standards via the Citizen's Advice national Consumer Helpline on 0345 404 0506.

macman

Where were you calling this Jersey number from? The Channel Islands are not part of the UK and so the UK regulator presumably has no jurisdiction over this?