Not quite alternative telephone numbers, but instead a note about various numbers that the media keep getting wrong....


Every few days there's an article directing people to call Crimestoppers on 0845 555111. Crimestoppers has never used an 0845 number. Since the 1980s Crimestoppers has used the freephone number 0800 555 111.



The Citizen's Advice national Consumer Helpline changed to 0345 404 0506 on 12 June 2014. Very many places still invite callers to ring the old 0845 404 0506 number.



The Environment Agency Floodline changed to 0345 988 1188 on 4 February 2014. This hasn't stopped the old 0845 988 1188 number appearing in print several times per week.



Earlier in 2015, Victim Support changed to the freephone number 0808 168 9111. This hasn't stopped the flow of articles directing callers to the old 0845 30 30 900 number.



For those who want to call HMRC, there are thousands of websites still directing people to call an 0845 or 0870 number. These numbers were replaced with new 0345 and 0300 numbers in several batches between April and October 2013. Calling the old numbers results in the Number Unobtainable tone.



For those who want to call DWP, there are thousands of websites still directing people to call an 0845 or 0870 number. These numbers were replaced with new 0345 numbers in several batches beginning March 2014. Calling the old number results in a recorded message informing the caller about the new numbers. Soon, this will change to a simple Number Obtainable tone.



Since 2009, Samaritans has had a number that is free to call from landlines and from mobiles. The number is 116123. Since 22 September 2015, Samaritans has advertised this as the main number but most places still refer to the old 0845 790 9090 number.



In March 2014, Police Service Northern Ireland announced that their new numbers would be 101 (15p per call) and 028 9065 0222. Many places still refer to the old 0845 600 8000 number.



NHS Direct closed down in England in March 2014. It was replaced by NHS 111 and this is a free call. Very many places still invite callers in England to ring the old 0845 46 47 number. (NOTE: 0845 46 47 is still valid for NHS Direct Wales).



NHS 24 in Scotland changed to a new number in April 2014. The new number is 111 and this is a free call. There are still very many places inviting callers to ring the old 0845 424 2424 number.

Ian01 wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2015 at 5:30pm:


I just wanted to highlight this one,

Samaritans have indeed had the ability to be called on a 116 number since they were introduced but, and I have an e-mail from them stating this, they didn't advertise it because of the cost they incurred when it was dialled (or words to that effect)....

I have seen a post on Facebook that Samaritans are introducing new notices (to be placed at Railway stations, and in places where they are clearly most needed) advertising their 116 number.

However I am also happy to help with rounding up publications and websites who still promote the old number.

Some more numbers that the media will continue to get wrong for years...


The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) changed from 0845 070 0707 to 0345 070 0707 in October 2015.



The Fax Preference Service (FPS) changed from 0845 070 0702 to 0345 070 0702 in October 2015.

Following the new FCA regulations effective 26 October 2015, most banks and insurance companies have changed their 0845 lines over to the matching 0345 number.

This seems to have escaped the attention of most newspapers as many continue to promote the old 0845 numbers.

Samaritans has a huge task on their hands.

More than fifteen thousand NHS and UK government web pages still promote the old 0845 number:
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&filter=0&q=site:nhs.uk+08457+90+90+90
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&filter=0&q=site:gov.uk+08457+90+90+90

On top of that, there are tens of thousands of other websites worldwide, most of which will likely never be updated.

I am not too bothered about old and abandoned websites. There are many of those still showing 071, 081, 0171 and 0181 numbers for organisations in London.

Only currently active websites are likely to be changed. The main issue is new newspaper and other media articles published this week that will give out of date information. This is ongoing for all of the above numbers and many others.

Journalists, editors and webmasters need to get into the mindset that every 084 or 087 number they encounter is outdated and incorrect.

This will obviously take decades or longer. Fifteen years after London changed to the 020 area code, people are still writing 0207 and 0208.

I appreciate it is a problem but the Telcos should be held accountable and should discontinue with the 08 numbes or give an alternative 03 number. I bet you if the telcos were charged every time the 08 number was used instead of the 03 number they would alter their ways.
They are not going to alter them voluntarily if they are receiving revenue when the number is called.
It is a stealth charge on the vulnerable, I am of the opinion that OFCOM should be made aware of it and if enough Sayno members contact them they have to investigate the complaint.