0844 with no costwarning

shoi

I came across a company who seem only to have an 0844 number, and nowhere have I spotted the yadda about calls cost £1M per minute etc. Is this illegal, and who is the appropriate policeman and will they do anything?

marvin

shoi wrote: »

I came across a company who seem only to have an 0844 number, and nowhere have I spotted the yadda about calls cost £1M per minute etc. Is this illegal, and who is the appropriate policeman and will they do anything?

0844 are up to 5p per minute fixed cost

poppasmurf_bewdley

shoi wrote: »

I came across a company who seem only to have an 0844 number, and nowhere have I spotted the yadda about calls cost £1M per minute etc. Is this illegal, and who is the appropriate policeman and will they do anything?

If a company only has an 0844 number, then in my opinion they deserve everything they get. And in this instance, let's hope it is sweet FA!

and.why.not

marvin wrote: »

0844 are up to 5p per minute fixed cost

That used to be the price until some time last year - now it is up to 7p per minute (the exact price depending on the next few digits) plus an additional access charge from your telephone provider which is also charged on a per minute basis. :mad:

scones

shoi wrote: »

I came across a company who seem only to have an 0844 number, and nowhere have I spotted the yadda about calls cost £1M per minute etc. Is this illegal, and who is the appropriate policeman and will they do anything?

Since last July, Ofcom has required a cost statement to be given everywhere an 084 or 087 number is publicised - ideally in the format "Calls cost ?p per minute plus your phone company's access charge." Unfortunately, they've already deleted the website they set up giving information about this.

Unfortunately, the premium rate regulator PhonepayPlus doesn't get involved with 084 numbers, only the higher cost 087, 09 and 118 services.

You can report the lack of charge information to the ASA. They're fairly toothless but do occasionally issue warnings to companies about this kind of thing when prompted.

marvin wrote: »

0844 are up to 5p per minute fixed cost

Up to 5p/min only ever really applied from BT landlines and has in any case been superseded by the new charging regime for 084 and 087 numbers. Expect to pay up to 52p per minute from a mobile or around 17p per minute from landlines.

Ian011

shoi wrote: »

I came across a company who seem only to have an 0844 number, and nowhere have I spotted the yadda about calls cost £1M per minute etc. Is this illegal, and who is the appropriate policeman and will they do anything?

All 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers are premium rate. The premium is the additional Service Charge paid to the benefit of the called party and their telecoms provider. Since 1 July 2015, this charge must be declared.
http://web.archive.org/web/20160203040506/http://www.ukcalling.info/industry
https://www.cap.org.uk/Advice-Training-on-the-rules/Advice-Online-Database/Chargeable-08-numbers-General.aspx
Breaches of the regulations can be reported to ASA.

Additionally, other regulations ban the use of 084, 087 and 09 numbers for various purposes.

BIS regulations cover retailers, traders and passenger transport companies. Since 13 June 2014 they must use numbers starting 01, 02, 03 or 080 for post-sales enquiries. Breaches can be reported to Trading Standards via the Citizen's Advice national Consumer Helpline on 0345 404 0506.

The FCA has since extended the regulations to cover banks, card companies and insurers. Since 26 October 2015 they must use numbers starting 01, 02, 03 or 080 for contact by existing customers. Breaches can be reported to the FCA.

shoi

Thanks Ian011 - let's see what the ASA do.

I note my villainous GP have finally reverted to a geo number - it was a bit much when they were uncontactable from overseas (on 0847...).

Roger1

I see that avios.com (the former Air Miles) uses a ripoff 0844 number on at least one of its pages without any indication of the cost of doing so.
http://www.avios.com/gb/en_gb/spend/spend-avios-on-holidays?from=SpendNav

It's not clear whether they are relying on an obscure exemption clause in the regulations. (The number shows up whether logged in or not.)

Luckily https://www.saynoto0870.com provides landline alternatives.

marvin

Well this is all very good to know had been researching the cost of 0844 as I have to call one which also does not advertise the rate and there is no alternative listed I can find.

Double_V

You can use http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php
It will give you alternative landline numbers.

Ian011

Roger1 wrote: »

I see that avios.com (the former Air Miles) uses a ripoff 0844 number on at least one of its pages without any indication of the cost of doing so.
http://www.avios.com/gb/en_gb/spend/spend-avios-on-holidays?from=SpendNav

It's not clear whether they are relying on an obscure exemption clause in the regulations. (The number shows up whether logged in or not.)

There are no exemptions from the requirement to declare the call costs for 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers 'in close proximity to the number, everywhere it is advertised or promoted'.

Various regulations ban the usage of these numbers for contact by existing customers in most sectors. Regulations from BIS cover retailers, traders and passenger transport companies. Regulations from the FCA cover banks, card companies and insurers. Government departments and public services are covered by Cabinet Office guidance. NHS bodies are covered by Directions issued by the Department of Health. GP practices are covered by amendments to their practice 'GMS' and 'PMS' contracts.

There no regulations (yet!) for gambling, package travel, property rental, and roundsmen on a regular delivery route. However, they would be foolish to ignore which way the wind is blowing.

These numbers are permitted for sales lines and pre-sales enquiry lines but their usage for these purposes is a well-known 'sales prevention technique'.

In the main, usage of 084 and 087 numbers is on the way out.



See also:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5437763