In the past, Fine Gael have attempted to raise the issue of many government departments providing 1890 numbers which would result in those calling those departments paying over the odds depending on the phone packages and contracts they have. The Fine Gael campaign details are available here on their RipOff.ie website .
While most of the departments referred to in that listing do have geographical alternative numbers – some easier to find than others – these 1890, 1850 and 0818 calls frequently cost more than they should – they’re definitely not CallSave or LoCall numbers.
Its unfortunate, but this issue is pretty much ignored in Ireland. As I’ve written about here previously, there’s actually no government department or regulator who’ll take on this issue and take on the mobile and landline companies who are profiteering on their charges to call these numbers.
This recent article, How 10p-a-minute government helplines cripple those most in need , in the Guardian newspaper shows how their equivalent numbers (0870 and 0845) attract much more serious attention for the costs consumers are being subjected to.
Complaints are rising about the use of these numbers – particularly over long queueing times and the way they can be used to scam people.
But change could be in the air, at least as far as calls to government departments are concerned. John Battle, the MP for Leeds West, has worked closely with Leeds CA (Citizens Advice), which produced the "Hung Up" report.
The article goes on:
It has found particular problems for people trying to get a Crisis Loan – on a number which is free to landlines but can cost 40p a minute on mobiles.
More than 95% of calls made to this 0800 number are put through to a recorded message, according both to CA and to an survey by the Independent Review Service, an official tribunal scheme.
To get to speak to an operator, a potential claimant would typically need to ring an average of 20 times. Listening to the two-minute recorded message that plays each time could easily cost £16.
I’m still looking for a copy of the "Hung Up" report, but when I find it, I’ll post more details.
