I remember that someone I was involved with was giving free 0870 numbers away quite some time ago, but I've not got his name to hand. I'll have a root around & if I come across it I will repost the info for you.   

As 0870, 0845 and 0800 are attached to live lines, as this site shows, you can call the standard Geographic number if you can find it. Therefore you can have your friends call you on the Geo number and give the Non-Geo to the people you don't like. Just hope they don't talk to someone else who knows the Geo number !! 

As you will find by looking around at the providers, you'll only get anything back on it if you have a high enough call volume (lots & lots !!) so don't get your hopes up.   

Or better still, provide an 090 number to companies who operate on 0870.

You can also get an 0871 number from

http://www.regional-telecom.com

as well as 0845/0870 numbers.

You can earn 2.93p/min on calls recived to an 0871 numbers, plus its free to join.

We pay you
No minimum usage required.
Revenue is cumulative.
No setup fee’s or rental (On Standard numbers)
“Golden numbers” available for a one off connection fee
Use on land lines (voice & fax)

Most of the 0870 providers I've found say the numbers are only for businesses, not for domestic numbers. Is there any reason for this, and is this an official policy concerning 0870 numbers? Or is it just because domestic customers probably wouldn't generate so much revenue?

I did have an 0845 number routed to my home phone for no charge whatsoever and with a revenue share of 0.3 ppm.  This was in the days when it was cheaper for my friends and family to call me on the 0845 number than for them to make a national call (before BT Together etc).  Now, no-one uses it.

I might try to get an 0870 number, though (not for friends and family to use).

After reading the input on this thread I've decided to take the plunge.

I'm now the proud owner of a premium rate 0870 number routed to my business phone. It will be given as a contact number to anyone who refuses to give me a geographic or free number.

Also anyone who cold calls will be asked to call back on the 0870 number. Interestingly, just had one call asking for the managing director. Gave him the number but he didn't call back. This is a real win win. If they don't call back that's fine and if they do the meter is running.

Cheers

I looked at one of the google adverts from this very site, and found that you can have your own 0871 number paying 3p days, 3.5p evenings, 4p weekends.  There's no set up costs or monthly fees.

Might sound like a good idea, to give this out whenever you give permission for companies to bombard you with phone calls, or when you subscribe to new banking, insurance, or services with large companies.

Has anyone actually got their own back with large companies.  It would be nice to get a call from my credit card company asking if I want payment protection, and get paid for the inconvenience!!

Any experience of large companies actually ringing back on these numbers, and any stories of people making a profit to get their own back.