This might be common knowledge for you all.   :-[   But just in case it isn't; here goes anyway!    :-/

As 0870/0871 numbers do not work internationally,  I just got round using the 0871 premium rate number for Wightlink Ferries by using the geoographical number listed on their web site for 'Call Centre International Number'.

Just thought that looking up listed geographical 'International Numbers' might be a useful technique.

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Just thought that looking up listed geographical 'International Numbers' might be a useful technique.

It is a very valid and useful technique and has been mentioned many times before. However, it never hurts to remind 'newbies' from time to time that it is a good way to avoid the dreaded 08xx numbers.

It is actually mentioned on this site home page:


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Many companies advertise a separate number that can be used when calling from abroad - This usually begins in the format +44 - There is nothing to stop you using this number from the UK (as it is a normal rate telephone call), and will be included in any inclusive minutes provided by your landline or mobile phone provider. Many others will give you a standard number if you ask.

There are a couple of things that you need to be aware of, though. Some slimy companies will look at your caller ID - the identification that is automatically transmitted when you make a call - and if they recognise that you are inside the UK, will "refuse" the call. Caller ID doesn't always work when crossing national boundaries, and so if you withhold your caller ID by prefacing the given UK "International" number you dial with 141, the called number will assume that you really are overseas and answer. You might have to tell a few porkies, though - previous posts have indicated that the really slimy companies will ask you straight out where you are calling from, and will disconnect you if you indicate it is from within the UK.Might be worth having a Charles Aznavour CD playing in the background...... ;)

Also, don't forget to NOT dial the international code for the UK - 44 but to add the normal STD code - 0 - in front. So, if the number is given as +44 207 123 1234, you would dial 141 - 0 - 207 - 123 - 1234.

Of course, the really nasty, slimy jerks like NEG who run the huge doctors' 0844 surgery scam only give a 0870 number for international access, just to make certain you can't avoid their outrageous charges!  >:(

JohnJ wrote on Apr 18^th, 2008 at 3:18pm:

Just thought that looking up listed geographical 'International Numbers' might be a useful technique.

To be honest I think this is probably where at least 25% to 30% of the geographic alternatives actually listed on this website come from.  That is the supposed number for "calling from overseas" grudgingly provided by the less abusive companies using 0845 and 0870 numbers.

The only reason they call it an "International Number" and show it in the format +44 1895 123654 etc is purely so as to fool less sophisticated customers out of realising that this number can also be called from within the UK. Quite a few of these companies stopped publishing their International Number once they realised many UK callers would also call it too.  Luckily many of those numbers were logged by this website's database before they were withdrawn.

Also note that with some companies their "International" UK number will only let you get through if you dial 141 to withhold your calling line ID (CLI - Caller Display Number).  Otherwise they have a policy of actively blocking or not answering calls from numbers showing a UK Caller ID.  The most hardened abusers of the public pay for more sophisticated technology where they are notified you are calling from outside the UK (although not which specific number is dialling), even though you withhold your CLI with 141, so you still cannot get through.  National Rail Enquiries have been one of the leading companies to go to these lengths to stop people calling alternatives to their 0871 number. :o >:(

Yep, I was "warned" by Tesco Personal Finance (RBS?) that it was "illegal" to use the international number for calls from within the UK and I would be cut off if I tried again. He (John Anonymous) said that they now had a note of my number.

OK, perhaps I should have used 141 but they are odious, aren't they?

I asked that my complaint about having to use an 0870 number be registered.

Banks really want to be your friend, don't they?

iamian wrote on Apr 25^th, 2008 at 6:19am:

[...] I was "warned" by Tesco Personal Finance (RBS?) that it was "illegal" to use the international number for calls from within the UK and I would be cut off if I tried again. [...]

It is not illegal to use the international number from inside the UK, and if they threaten you with being cut off, then I suggest it is time to find another banking provider (avoid Alliance and Leicester - there is a massive thread about them somewhere, and they are just as bad, if not worse).

iamian wrote on Apr 25^th, 2008 at 6:19am:

Yep, I was "warned" by Tesco Personal Finance (RBS?) that it was "illegal" to use the international number for calls from within the UK and I would be cut off if I tried again. He (John Anonymous) said that they now had a note of my number. OK, perhaps I should have used 141 but they are odious, aren't they?

It is not illegal to dial any valid UK telephone number.  If the owner of the number does not want to take phone calls on it then they can always arrange to have it blocked to incoming calls or they could even restrict incoming calls only to calls onward routed to the geographic number from the 0845 or 0870 number (using a variant of Choose To Refuse).

If you can get through then they are willing to receive the calls.  End of story.  If they suggest you are acting illegally suggest you will refer their actions to the Police as a case of harassment and intimidation.

The best thing is to dial 141 to withhold your number and make out you are calling from overseas with any such abusive call centre.

jgxenite wrote on Apr 25^th, 2008 at 8:21am:

then I suggest it is time to find another banking provider (avoid Alliance and Leicester - there is a massive thread about them somewhere, and they are just as bad, if not worse).

I would, but it's difficult to avoid RBS (NatWest / Churchill / Tesco Finance / Direct Line / Green Flag / Sainsbury's Bank...) and I've reasons to fall out with Lloyds TSB, Barclays, MBNA etc.! I've had my problems with Nationwide too, but they've always been decent about it in the end. (Now wait for the brickbats!) ::)