Used 0870 alternative number for VAT enquiries - 02920501261 for 08450109000 and, after going through menu options heard phone ringing 3 times then a voice came on "You have dialled incorrectly" and the call was terminated. Tried several times with same result and eventually gave up and dialled 0845 number.

Any ideas what's going on, anyone?

Had me worried there!.

Tested it and it worked fine.  Sounds like a glitch. Suggest trying again.

mnewton10 wrote on Aug 13^th, 2007 at 9:45am:

Used 0870 alternative number for VAT enquiries - 02920501261 for 08450109000...

Are you sure you used 141 before the number you called - making it 141 029 2050 1261?

No I didn't dial 141 before the number - what does that do?

141 hides the number you are dialling from. When you ring through an 0845 number (or other non-geographic) your number is most likely "lost in translation". Hence if you ring them direct without withholding you number, they can see that you didn't call via their non-geographic and reject your call. If the number is withheld, they can't tell where you are ringing from and have to answer the call. If they ask you if you rang via their 0845 number (or anything else), then lie but DON'T tell them that you rang their geographic number!

Don't need to use 141 for this number. I called this morning successfully without doing so.

Even if the number works without dialling 141 before it, it is still accepted practice (and is recommended by everyone on this forum) to prefix the number with 141 just incase it doesn't work, and to (possibly) avoid further questioning about it later.

I agree. I was just making the point in case mnewton10 thought that was the reason s/he wasn't getting thru which s/he may have thought from your post.

The point is the number is working fine. When I saw the post originally I went to look up the number I use to help mnewton10 only to find it was the same number. I muttered under my breath thinking a block was now put on the number (in which case 141 would be an excellent idea). However everything is fine. I got thru' first time (after negotiating the menu). So I think there may just have been a glitch at that time or something wrong with mnewton10 phone/line.

It really is ok - honest.

Keith wrote on Aug 13^th, 2007 at 1:48pm:

I agree. I was just making the point in case mnewton10 thought that was the reason s/he wasn't getting thru which s/he may have thought from your post. The point is the number is working fine. When I saw the post originally I went to look up the number I use to help mnewton10 only to find it was the same number. I muttered under my breath thinking a block was now put on the number (in which case 141 would be an excellent idea). However everything is fine. I got thru' first time (after negotiating the menu). So I think there may just have been a glitch at that time or something wrong with mnewton10 phone/line. It really is ok - honest.

Update, if you don't put 141 prefix you get a message telling you that you are dialling the international code from within the UK and that you need to dial the 0845 number.  If you use the 141 prefix it goes straight through.

Peasant wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 10:18am:

Update, if you don't put 141 prefix you get a message telling you that you are dialling the international code from within the UK and that you need to dial the 0845 number.  If you use the 141 prefix it goes straight through.

I have added a note to the entries: This is “overseas” number. Withhold your num (using 141) when calling from UK or else the call will be blocked. Expect to be told off for not using premium number!