i recently called a geographical number found on this website instead of the 0845 alternative. However , upon answering the phone, the recipient immediately asked me to confirm that i had called the geo number and, when i confirmed that i had,refused to help unless and until i redialled on the 0845 number. apart from being a bit miffed, i was curious as to how he knew as i always believed that both numbers would ring on the same phone, with the same ring etc etc
any suggestions

jo

Try telling them you dialled the 0845.  ;D

Why? Well there's a few explanations that spring to mind: It is an overseas number. If they can see your number, they know you are not overseas. 141 to withold your number.

It may be the wrong department.

Try lying! ;D

Just say you called the 0845 number and see what they say :-))

Make sure you turn off your CLI first.

I'm sure the Almighty will forgive you...

the number in question was 0845 3000627, the inland revenue
my personal phone number is always on permanent withhold (ex directory) so he would not have seen that and my mum gave me permission forty years ago to lie to anyone other than the taxman !
old habits die hard,i hope you understand my dilemma

jo

It may well be that some of this site's translations are culled from, for example, Lloyds TSB quoting UK 0870 xx but international +44121 etc, where the international destination does not use the same delivery number as the 0870 delivery number. At least that is where some of the numbers came from that I have contributed.

Presumably one could play a tape of camels or French cafe music in the background? I wonder if Chester Zoo (01244 380280) offer such a service, even at Premium Rate.

I like the French camel music idea, but as Dave suggested, the only way to make them think that you're from OVERSEAS is to withold the number by putting 141 in front of the number you call. It comes up on their Caller ID as overseas - I get it all the time. I realise that you have withold enabled on your line, but as I do this all the time, I can confirm that 141 works better.
The only lines I've had difficulties with were Inland Revenue Non residents, General Enquiries and NI Contributions, Overseas Helpline, and that was only because they asked me where I was calling from.

Additionally it depends on which dept. you're calling at IR, but in your case, it says it's Chapel Wharf area & I had no trouble when I rang to confirm the number. Maybe it's the supervisor's number ! We may have to call a number or two around that same number to check for others.

Don't forget that we (in most cases) only give you one alternative from what may be a group of upto a hundred. Sometimes we can provide a choice of maybe ten, but any of them could be busy on a call, or not even logged in that day, so you don't get an answer. 08xx systems select from a group of offered (working or logged in) numbers at that location.  :-/

Try again and see what happens this time - & try fibbing as well !! :-X