070 phone number scams: regulators to cap cost of premium rate lines

070 numbers are commonly used in 'missed call' scams, as people mistakenly think they've simply received a call from a mobile phone. Here's how to spot a scam and avoid racking up charges until the new cost cap is implemented.

Communications regulator Ofcom is to cap the price of calls to phone numbers beginning with '070' in a bid to clamp down on missed call scams that see victims racking up hefty charges.

These numbers, easily mistaken for mobile phones, are in fact premium rate lines that can cost users between 45p and £1.10 a minute and aren't included in 'free minute' allowances.

Ofcom estimates that 20% of calls using these numbers were connected to fraudulent activity. Legitimate uses of the 070 number include classified ads, to hide a caller's personal number and small businesses and sole traders.

The regulator plans to cap the cost at 0.5p a minute: however, this won't come into place until October 2019.

Customers will hopefully see lower bills sooner than that, says Jonathan Oxley, Ofcom’s competition group director. 

"There’s no reason why phone companies shouldn’t pass this saving on to their customers as soon as possible.”

Instead of waiting for companies to protect you, here's how to spot scams and keep your money safe.

Scam tricks: email, phone and text message traps to watch out for

Missed call scams

Ofcom says it has taken action because of 070 numbers' common use in 'missed call' scams.

Victims receive a missed call from a number beginning 070, and believing it to be a mobile, call it back at considerable cost.

They are then met with an engaged tone, or sometimes an automated message telling them the line is bad and asking them to call back.

Alternately, fake job ads ask applicants to call an expensive 070 numbers.

If you've been targeted by this scam, you can complain to the premium rate line regulator.

Premium text messages: how to stop them

Other premium rate numbers to avoid

070 numbers aren't the only way you could be left with a shock bill.

Numbers beginning 076 have also been implicated in the abovementioned 'missed call' scam.

Some of the most expensive numbers, however, are entirely legal.

118 numbers – such as well-known directory 118 118 – charge a connection charge plus a per-minute charge, meaning the first minute of the call could cost £15.98. Ofcom is consulting on capping costs at £3.10 for a 90-second call, but has yet to do so.

084, 087 and 09 numbers are also premium rate lines, which cannot be used for customer service numbers.

You can find free (geographical) numbers to get in touch with companies on the website Say No To 0870.

How to call 0800, 0844, 0845 and 0870 numbers free from your mobile