Calls to 118 to be capped
 

The cost of 90-second calls to 118 numbers

118 004 Telecom2 £19.98
118 118 TNUK £11.23
118 212 Maureen £11.23
118 247 Yell £6.88
118 500 BT £3.10
118 402 O2 £1.13
118 855 Post Office £1.00

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46369401

I've never used any of these numbers, nor the free VM one, but I know a few who have been caught out by these excessive charges.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

It's even worse if you let these providers transfer your call to the number as this will continue to be charged at their high rate.

About time these pirates were tamed.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

No doubt down the road these rip off merchants will find another way to continue to con people.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

Like Taf, I've never used one of these numbers. Most of the information they give can be easily accessed online, but even before then, I didn't need them.

The ironic thing is, IIRC, we were sold this particular service by the government saying that by giving us a choice of providers, they were ensuring prices would stay competitive, and that the choice of providers would be better for us. Because, obviously, having a choice of 300 or so providers who are willing to bill us anywhere from £1 a minute to £6 a call is *so* much better than having 1 provider who charged (IIRC) 50p for each enquiry.

Personally, I think the whole thing is one massive scam.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

Fortunately, Virgin Media subscribers can avoid being ripped off by using Virgin Media Directory Inquiries on 118 180.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

How much does that cost?

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

See post #1

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

It's free to ask for a number on the VM landline (up to 10 calls per day).

https://help.virginmedia.com/system/...r-Virgin-Phone

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

Got your number.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

It's not really free. It's subsidised by other parts of VM. Other companies have to recoup their setup and running costs.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

That's useful to know, I wasn't aware of this service from VM.

I usually use the service run by BT that is free for disabled people.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

Yes, I don't think Virgin promote some of their services well enough. This is one good example. Some subscribers must be paying a fortune unnecessarily to these other companies.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

I don't know why people still use these services when you can access all the contact info for free online.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

Absolutely.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

Laziness, I guess.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

If they are on Facebook you could phone them through the Messenger app.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer...d-do-even-more

Apparently the company charging the most for these calls (£20 for 90 seconds) thinks the caps don't go far enough, and because ofcom agreed to these charges, it's ofcom's fault.

OK, that is a little like blaming BMW when charged for speeding, because they sold you a car that could do 100mph.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

I can only speak for the disabled directory enquiries service; a lot of people use it because they can't see very well or handle a phone book etc.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

I can't see very well, I can manage to google things. Also using voice search is helpful.

People if they need this kind of service should not be getting ripped off.

Re: Calls to 118 to be capped
 

OK, having looked into this further, it seems what they are complaining about is Ofcom not regulating network access charges properly, but the other companies don't seem to be paying enough to require they charge £20 for 90 seconds of call time.

And my central point still stands. The fact that someone doesn't say you can't charge an awful lot for a service isn't justification for charging an awful lot for that service. I don't, but I could leave my front door open if I wanted. That doesn't mean I am granting anyone permission to enter my house.