Revealed: The true cost of expensive phone numbers

How much will that phonecall be? We reveal the high cost of non-standard numbers, and show how to chop your call costs.

It’s not fun is it? Opening your phone bill and gasping with shock/horror/despair? And all because of phone-calls you had to make to some company’s where you hung on for hours to sort out a problem that wasn’t even your fault.

The fact is, more and more companies are forcing you to call 0870 and 0845 numbers these days. And most phone providers don’t include these types of numbers in their ‘free landline calls’ packages.

Unfortunately, calls to these numbers can really start to add up. And they’re not the only ones you need to be wary of. Here’s how to figure out how much a call will cost you before you make it!

01 and 02 numbers

If you have a landline, you can get a package included with your line rental where 01 and 02 numbers are free at weekends and possibly evenings too. Here’s a list of providers which offer these packages at the moment:

03 numbers

Numbers beginning with 03 are known as ‘UK wide' numbers and were introduced in 2007. They offer an alternative to chargeable 08 numbers such as 0845 and 0870 numbers (see below). These 03 numbers allow organisations to provide a national phone number while customers pay only the standard call rates shown above. In other words, calls to 03 numbers cost the same as calls to geographic 01 and 02 numbers.

Unlike chargeable 08 numbers, calls to 03 numbers can be included in the call-inclusive or discount packages promoted by fixed-line and mobile operators. What's more, as there is no revenue-sharing with 03 numbers, the provider doesn't profit from your call (as happens with chargeable 08 numbers). Numbers beginning 030 are only for public-sector bodies, not-for-profit organisations and registered charities. 033, 034 and 037 numbers can be used by any organisation.

118 numbers

These six-digit numbers are directory-enquiry services. In 2003, BT's 192 service was replaced by a whole host of rival 118 services. All market competition has done is to drive up prices -- nowadays, sourcing a single telephone number can cost £1+.

There’s no need to ever call a 118 number again. Instead, use free searches such as Google and BT's online Phone Book.

Alternatively, if you plan on calling one of these 118 services, be sure to arrange a secured loan or second mortgage before making your call!

070 numbers

These ‘personal' or ‘find me anywhere' numbers are normally used by individuals to divert calls to a UK or international mobile or international landline destination. By the way, don't confuse 070 numbers with mobile numbers beginning with 07. The basic cost of calling an 070 number can be as high as 50p a minute. Also, we have heard of mobile-phone users being charged £2 for a fifteen-second call to an 070 number! As you'd expect, we never call 070 numbers, and we'd urge you to do the same.

0800 and 0808 numbers

These are all freephone calls, so it won't cost you a penny to call them from a BT home phone or callbox (but mobile operators usually charge for these calls). These are our favourite tariffs!

0844 numbers

These are ‘fixed rate' numbers. They cost 5p a minute at all times from a BT landline, which explains why I don't call them.

0845 numbers

Calls to 0845 numbers are charged at so-called ‘local' or ‘lo-call' rates, as follows, from a standard BT landline:

Generally speaking, calls to 0845 numbers can't be included in call-inclusive packages, which makes them a pain in the posterior. The rapid spread of 0845 numbers -- particularly among government agencies -- really grinds our gears!

However, the good news is, these numbers are included in BT’s call-inclusive packages, unlike other providers. So if you need to call these numbers a lot, consider signing up for one of their packages – just make sure you read the small print so you know when charges will apply and when they won’t.

0870 numbers

At last, we reach the hated 0870 numbers, which are charged at the following ‘national' rates on a standard BT landline:

Here at lovemoney.com, we refuse to give our time and money to any organisation which forces us to call an 0870 number. Instead, we look up geographical alternatives on the excellent Say No To 0870 website. Down with 0870!

Please note: If you’ve got an iPhone, you can download a saynoto0870 app for free, so you can look up calls on the move which would be inclusive in your package.

0871 numbers

Like 0844 numbers, 0871 numbers are ‘fixed rate' numbers. They cost a fixed 10p a minute at all times. Please don't encourage companies by calling 0871 lines -- use Say No To 0870 instead.

090 numbers

Of all telephone numbers, these ‘premium rate' calls are the worst villains. These 090 numbers are used to provide expensive information or entertainment, often of an ‘adult' nature. Given that many of these services are billed at up to £1.50 a minute, you'd have to be criminally insane or a billionaire to use them often.

Some of them also charge a fixed fee of £1.50 at all times, no matter how long the phonecall is!

Enjoy cheap calls all the time...

We're sure you'll agree that the above call charges are, quite simply, too high. However, by avoiding expensive and premium-rate numbers and sticking to geographical numbers, you can trim your telephone bill. In addition, by using an alternative call provider such as 1899 or 18185, you can cut the cost of UK geographical calls to a flat 4p or 5p per call, regardless of its length or the time of day.

Alternatively use Skype and make calls over the internet for free!

More: Punish BT for increasing its landline charges! | 5 steps to cheaper phone calls