Following a query on the "Requests" board, I've discoverd a new scam involving ISPs' 0844 numbers. A lot of them are using 0844 numbers and saying they cost the same as a local call. In fact, not only aren't these non-geographical numbers a different cost to local calls (by virtue of them not being included in call packages, etc.) they are actually more expensive than 0845 numbers, the so-called "local rate" numbers!

I don't think 0844 numbers have ever been termed "local rate", even before the nonsense with 0845 numbers started.

Some of the sites even claim it's cheaper to use their 0844 number!

Many of them use 0844 535, which is 3.95p/1p/1p (compared to 3p/1p/1p for 0845). There are many sites doing this. A quick search also found www.uk-internet-access.co.uk which uses 0844 057 0980. After digging deep into the BT price list, I found that this costs 3.95/1.49/1 so that's 1.49p/min in the evenings instead of 1p/min.

These numbers are also excluded from BT's "Friends and Family", so you can't get 10/20% off as you can with 0845.