£40 phone call to DWP

Feral_Moon

I had to call DWP a few weeks ago to change bank details and was on hold for an hour or so before getting through. I've just received my mobile phone bill and I've been charged over £40 for this single phone call :eek::eek::eek:

Is there anything I can do to claim this back from DWP? I can't afford to pay this amount and struggling to believe they can even charge so much!

PersianCatLady

What was the phone number that you called?

Were you expecting the phone call to be free of charge or to come out of your inclusive minutes?

This link has a guide to the cost of calling various phone numbers:
https://www.gov.uk/call-charges

This link shows how various mobile networks charge for calls to 0345 numbers:
https://www.0345number.com/

BoGoF

I believe DWP have 0800 numbers, which shoukd be free.

I hope you haven't used one of those 3rd party call forwarding services......

poppy12345

BoGoF wrote: »

I believe DWP have 0800 numbers, which shoukd be free.

I hope you haven't used one of those 3rd party call forwarding services......

That's correct, if the right number is used then it's free because of 0800 number.



OP what number did you ring?

poppy12345

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/final-dwp-customer-telephone-lines-become-free



https://www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus/existing-benefit-claims

[Deleted User]

Even when u call the 0345 numbers still at the top of older letters, you get told to call an 0800 number before being cut off. There should be no charge for that brief call even.

[Deleted User]

Your definitely are not going to get DWP to cough up the cost of the phone call otherwise everyone would be at it and that’s the point of the free phone numbers.

Lesson learnt for next time.

pmduk

BoGoF wrote: »

I hope you haven't used one of those 3rd party call forwarding services......

I'm pretty certain this will be what has happened.

Feral_Moon

It was 08435060359 and I'm sure one of the DWP operators gave it to me as I had it scribbled down on a piece of paper with other related notes on it.

poppy12345

Feral_Moon wrote: »

It was 08435060359 and I'm sure one of the DWP operators gave it to me as I had it scribbled down on a piece of paper with other related notes on it.

It may have been the correct number before they became free but as you've found out it's not free. You should always check with your mobile phone company before ringing those sort of numbers anyway because they aren't always free. Unfortunately, you won't be able to claim back the cost of that call but remember for the next time you need to ring. All DWP number now start with 0800 and are free.

Icequeen99

Feral_Moon wrote: »

It was 08435060359 and I'm sure one of the DWP operators gave it to me as I had it scribbled down on a piece of paper with other related notes on it.

DWP won't have given you that number.

That is a private company who provide numbers on a website to reach Government departments, it is a call divert service that they use to make money

https://contactnumberuk.net/esa/

IQ