Which? response to GPs being urged to ban 084 numbers

Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd, said:

“People should not have to pay a premium to make an appointment to see their GP, or be faced with a high phone bill if they have to wait on hold.

“Our Costly Calls campaign wants all companies and public bodies, including GPs and NHS dentists, to provide basic rate numbers for their customer service and complaints telephone lines.”

Background

1.    High rate numbers are all telephone numbers starting with 09, 0845, 0844, and 0871. ‘Premium rate’ numbers only strictly apply to numbers that start 09 and 0871, 0872 or 0873 which falls within the remit of PhonePayPlus, the premium rate regulator. Basic rate numbers include all geographic rate numbers starting with 01/02/03.

2. The Which? Costly Calls campaign wants all companies to provide geographic rate number for all customer service and complaints telephone lines.

Statement