Quote: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:
Quote: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!