BT has been fined £225,000 by Phone Pay Plus  after it failed to provide correct pricing details for its 118 500 directory enquiries number.


See: http://www.cable.co.uk/news/bt-hit-with-225k-fine-over-incorrect-118-500-pricing...

I wonder if someone on here can advise me regarding a paragraph "BT to refund expensive 118500 charges if complained within 28 days"

I have just helped another Pensioner to change from inappropriate Evenings and Weekend Plan to Anytime and noticed on his 2nd Jan 3 month bill 4 x118500 calls dated 5 Nov-9 Dec duration 9.19min £28.69 and wondered how I should help him get this refund.

I remembered seeing something about 118 calls initially to find him a cheaper 118 Directory number and found the above information. There was nothing about this refunding notified to BT Customers so BT look to be onto  a good get out.

Regarding my original reason for looking about 118 can anyone on here also advise me of the cheapest 118 Directory number preferably fixed charge if possible, that I can tell him for future use.

Thanks on his behalf for any help on these two requests.

Thanks for that information SCV will do.

Has anyone any info where I coulld find a list of the current prices of 118 Directory numbers to find a cheaper one for him if he must use one

I am sure there is one on sayno somewhere but I dont know where to find it.

Thanks for any help

Thanks CJT-80 for the Links.  Had to take 2 asprins but delayed the laydown until after I had woken up Google, which showed several very interesting Companies, namely 118365 which shows 50ppm and claim 90% enquiries completed within one minute.

A very interesting one was 0800 118 FREE (3733 numerically) I will investigate both of these to start with and explain to him not to chat, as still charging. 

This chatting  was highlighted in a Guardiian article as adding to the atrocious 118500 bills, nice little earner particularly wiith Pensioners who dont get much communication with others and think the Agent is just being friendly.

I will investigate both these Directory Numbers further before passing them on, He has Paper Directories but having looked for Numbers myself find that many small firms dont have Landline or only have 0844 if in the books at all.

I have listed all his 0844 numbers to get him to work out which Companies regularly phoned and will come here to find alternative numbers.

Thanks all for your help on his behalf, another Pensioner who was on wrong tarif and didnt understand the implications, now on BT Anytime and after the changeover bill will be a happy bunny.

Speedy,

I am glad I could be of help... I have to admit I felt dizzy after sorting out ALL the links...



After 192 was abolished it was claimed it would make things easier and better.... clearly you have found a few options that may work... but for the remainder of people who don't go on here or have someone to check for them... the 118 market continues to be a rip-off in my opinion.

bigjohn wrote on Jan 27^th, 2014 at 2:38am:


Colt DQ charged by Talk Talk at 35.61 p call connection fee, no per min charges.

Saga DQ charged by Talk Talk at 39.32 p call connection fee, no per min charges

Ethcom DQ charged by Talk Talk at 44.94 p call connection fee, no per min charges.

All info from here and here

Advised to use Ctrl and F in the 1st link to search for the 118 numbers in question.

Thanks bigjohn I will save those numbers just in case. 

speedy as always you are very welcome.

lets us all know how things go with the refund.

speedy wrote on Jan 28^th, 2014 at 3:27pm:


I'd start with a phone call, and then maybe a letter or an e-mail as a follow up... at least get the ball rolling with a phone call.



EDIT: it also appears you can have an on-line "chat" with a BT representative via the contact us option on BT.com