mgybran wrote on Mar 10
th, 2007 at 8:46am:
It is not clear though how these numbers are found. Are the numbers added by forum members or is there a special Google (magic) search term which is used to find the 'real' numbers?
Welcome.
Numbers are added by forum members, visitors, etc.
I'm afraid there is no special Google (magic) search that is used although it would make our job a lot easier if there was. The 'real' alternative numbers are found by checking old directory enquries websites, old/cached copies of webpages and using google to see if another company/organisation provides the 'real' underlying numbers instead of any new(er) 084x/087x number.
This is really only successful because in some cases companies just get new 08x/087x numbers whilst still keeping their old 'real' number and just basically divert calls to their new 08x/087x number to their old 'real' number.
However, there are some companies out there that go through all the trouble (and expense) of disconnecting their old 'real' numbers and getting brand new 'real' numbers and then divert calls from their 084x/087x number to their new 'real' number. Companies that do this have most likely purposely from the outset wanted customers to only ring them on their 084x/087x number so (if applicable) they can earn money from the call without their customers knowing they are making money from the call. This, method as mentioned, involves more work and expense for the companies concerned but these companies then know that no-one would still ring them on their 'real' number because it's brand new that only them and the telephone company would know so therefore customers have no alternative to ring the 084x/087x number(s).
It maybe possible to do similar a similar thing to find 'real' numbers where you're from