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https://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi Main Forum >> Geographical Numbers Chat >> 0871 Revenge ? https://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1377753370 Message started by bigjohn on Aug 29^th, 2013 at 6:16am

Title: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by bigjohn on Aug 29^th, 2013 at 6:16am

A man targeted by marketing companies is making money from cold calls with his own premium-rate phone number.

In November 2011 Lee Beaumont paid £10 plus VAT to set up his personal 0871 line - so to call him now costs 10p, from which he receives 7p.

"The Leeds businessman told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme that the premium line had so far made £300.

Phone Pay Plus, which regulates premium numbers, said it strongly discouraged people from adopting the idea."

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23869462 for full story.

He is not the first to think of the idea some peeps use 0844 numbers for this purpose.

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by SilentCallsVictim on Aug 29^th, 2013 at 8:48am

There is some confusion in the way that this story has been put across.

Those who respond to an invitation to call on a 0871 number can hardly be described as "Cold callers", as their calls are, indeed admittedly, solicited.

In principle, this may be a legitimate way of achieving parity with those who invite you to call them on a similar number. The interview however refers to having to call on 0845 numbers.

Because 0871 is regulated as being used for the provision of Premium Rate Services, that fact that Lee Beaumont admitted offers no such service to callers to these places him in breach of the regulations. This could usefully beg the question about other such users of PRS numbers and the ease with which these numbers may be obtained, but sadly that is not the way in which the story has been presented.

The other odd aspect of the story is that it is presented initially as being to do with unsolicited calls from PPI claims agents. It would seem however that these calls continue to the geographic number, whilst other calls are redirected.

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Ian G on Aug 29^th, 2013 at 10:32am

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by bbb_uk on Aug 29^th, 2013 at 1:46pm

I've just tried to find the code of practice on PhonePay Plus website. The best I can do is here. My guess is this wont all apply for 0871 numbers and for personal use rather than business use.

It states you have to be upfront of the price and reading BBC news article:-

Quote:

Once he had set up the 0871 line, every time a bank, gas or electricity supplier asked him for his details online, he submitted it as his contact number.

He added he was "very honest" and the companies did ask why he had a such a number.

I got the impression he was upfront about costs and obviously the reason why he had such a number so therefore he is, as far as possible, complying with code of practice and probably why the regulator didn't say he wasn't.

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Ian G on Aug 29^th, 2013 at 5:54pm

AUDIO

BBC Radio 4 You and Yours interview (Aug 28th - 12:00) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b038xx7g - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01ftwp1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV6kpB_tf1I

BBC Radio Leeds interview (Aug 29th - 07:20) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01dmxd1

BBC Radio York interview (Aug 29th - 09:00) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01f2mrw - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHMXoZf4cuA

BBC Radio Wales interview (Aug 29th - 10:20) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0396dr8/Jason_Mohammad_29_08_2013/

BBC Radio Leeds interview (Aug 29th - 12:10 - and David Hickson at 12:20, TPS rep at 12:40, several other callers on topic) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01dmxd6 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjNnNmd29Xw

BBC Radio 4 You and Yours interview (Aug 29th - 12:30) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b038ynz1 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01fwbcw

BBC Radio 2 - Jeremy Vine interview (Aug 29th - 12:33 - and David Hickson at 12:38, much related conversation for some time after) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b038z8vg/Jeremy_Vine_29_08_2013/

BBC Radio Five Live interview (Aug 29th - 13:45) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b038vjwp - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBYqlMIEueg

BBC Radio Sheffield interview (Aug 29th - ~5pm~) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01dm83c

Radio Aire interview (Aug 29th - ~5pm~) -

BBC Radio Merseyside interview (Aug 29th - ~6pm~) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01dtdk2

VIDEO

ITV Yorkshire interview (Aug 29th - ~6pm~) -

It's already received more than twenty times as much coverage as the "UCAS ripping off students with 0871 clearing number" story (2 articles) last week.

Funny old world...

Now if only some of the "0844 in the NHS", "silent calls", "nuisance texts", "Consumer Rights Directive", and "unbundled tariff" topics could get that sort of news coverage...

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Heinz on Aug 29^th, 2013 at 8:11pm

I've been using an 070 number for the same purpose for ages (although I don't get a cut of the charges) and, as a result of this, I've now diverted that to my new (free) Flextel 0871 number.

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Ian G on Aug 29^th, 2013 at 10:58pm

Why companies should not be using 0871 for customer service...

http://archive.is/N3x4b

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Ian G on Aug 30^th, 2013 at 6:38am

Several papers are running the story again:

WEB (UK)

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/425550/The-man-who-did-a-number-on-cold-calling-phone-pests

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/real-life/335438/I-made-300-out-of-cold-callers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23895684

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/cold-caller-revenge-victim-makes-300-2237320

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire/leeds-man-sick-of-cold-callers-during-corrie-sets-up-0871-number-and-makes-300-1-5999102

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/regional-news/man-cashes-in-on-cold-caller-pests-1-5994228

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/08/30/punter_collects_cash_from_cold_callers/

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/Man_makes_300_receiving_cold_calls

http://www.thedrum.com/stuff/2013/08/30/lee-beaumont-turns-tables-cold-callers-creating-premium-rate-number-means-he-gets

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/phones/2013/08/ppi-cold-call-victim-turns-tables-with-0871-number

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4753291

http://www.radioaire.co.uk/news/local/leeds-man-turns-cold-calls-into-cash/

http://www.magic828.co.uk/news/local/leeds-man-turns-cold-calls-into-cash/

WEB (International)

http://www.irishexaminer.com/world/quirky-world-a-daily-look-at-some-of-the-worlds-stranger-stories-241409.html

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11117119

http://www.gulf-times.com/uk-europe/183/details/364166/cold-call-victim-gets-back-at-companies

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013\08\30\story_30-8-2013_pg9_4

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/man-discovers-way-profit-telemarketer-calls/nZhC2/

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/08/29/meet-the-clever-brit-who-makes-telemarketers-pay-to-call-him/

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/british-man-lee-beaumont-gets-telemarketers-pay-call-him

WEB (non-English)

http://bigbrowser.blog.lemonde.fr/2013/08/30/ne-quittez-pas-agace-par-le-telemarketing-un-britannique-decide-de-faire-payer-les-entreprises/

VIDEO

BBC Breakfast interview (Aug 30th - 07:50) -

Newsy (Aug 30) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwC3jUg7ZKg

AUDIO

BBC Radio Tees interview (Aug 30 - 10:45 and discussion 11:05 onwards) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01dnp6k

BBC Radio WM (Aug 30 - 11:15) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01f0zjn

Highland Radio (Ireland) interview (Aug 30 - ~11:30~) -

Radio York interview (Aug 30 - ~....~) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01f2mwv or http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01f2mwx ?

Radio Jersey interview (Aug 30 - ~12:20~) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01dttdn

Money with Melissa Francis (US) (Sep 03 - ~22:45~) -

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by SilentCallsVictim on Aug 30^th, 2013 at 7:45am

The fair telecoms campaign response, in a news release and on radio is found here.

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by bbb_uk on Aug 30^th, 2013 at 10:48am

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Aug 30^th, 2013 at 7:45am:

The fair telecoms campaign response, in a news release and on radio is found here.

Just quickly read the response and I got the impression you are surprised that companies would sell his contact details.

Selling contact details is big money and this is why a lot of companies in their small print pass your details on to "carefully selected companies" as they (the companies) call it. I wouldn't be surprised if companies sold details on even if you specifically ask not to as I always do.

I go out of my way to ensure my contact details aren't passed to every company out there but I still get occasional text and call to mobile despite registering for TPS, etc.

I know some companies will respect my privacy but at same time other companies don't.

What this person did was not that much different from what some companies do imho :)

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Ian G on Sep 2^nd, 2013 at 12:44am

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by SilentCallsVictim on Sep 2^nd, 2013 at 4:23am

bbb_uk wrote on Aug 30^th, 2013 at 10:48am:

Just quickly read the response and I got the impression you are surprised that companies would sell his contact details.

The story has been covered in a number of ways, with varying degrees of detail.

In some cases it was suggested that the 0871 number was only provided to particular utility providers directly. If that were so, then it would be a very serious matter that it fell into the hands of PPI claims companies. In fact, the 0871 number was spread liberally around price comparison websites, which make part of their living out of selling contact details to all and sundry.

At the time the news release was issued, this point had not been confirmed with Lee. We have also been able to establish that the PPI calls were definitely made to the 0871 number and that the fall off in nuisance calls is partly attributable to the fact that a new ex-directory geographic number was obtained.

The lesson may be that if you want to avoid nuisance calls, get a new ex-directory geographic number and keep it secret. If you are happy to receive nuisance calls by offering a Premium Rate Service, then the rules governing PRS numbers do not completely prevent you from doing so. That may however represent an over-serious approach to what is essentially a fun story.

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Newt Beaumont on Sep 2^nd, 2013 at 6:38pm

Hey Guys,

I'm the lad with the 0871 number.

I admit I did make a few small mistakes in the first few radio interviews. (Feel free to have a go at me about that). I am not used to interviews and trying to get everything i need to say in just under 5 mins is hard. TV was worse as I had even less time.

First How did my number get out?
I use my 0871 number as my home number. My gas, electric, phone, water, hmrc, council tax all have it. When I get quotes online for cheaper gas/electric every 6 months I use my 0871 as my home number. When I was looking at boiler cover I used my 0871 as my home again.

Would I recommend people do what I do?
The first few interviews I said yes. But as soon as the story started getting massive I started to really think and I changed my opinion.

I said yes and no, If you are lazy and using it JUST to make money then no, do not do it. I said yes, if you fully read the code and make sure you don't break it. As the last thing you want to get is a massive fine.

Will I stop doing it?
No. I know the laws will change in 2014 and I will need to have a look at the code again and try and find a way to carry it on. If I do need to ditch my 0871 number I will find another number. Maybe a 070 number. As this will still keep the calls down. But again, I do not know what I will do as i will need to read the new laws when they come out & talk to the women at phone pay plus again.

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Dave on Sep 2^nd, 2013 at 7:32pm

Newt Beaumont wrote on Sep 2^nd, 2013 at 6:38pm:

Would I recommend people do what I do?
The first few interviews I said yes. But as soon as the story started getting massive I started to really think and I changed my opinion.

I said yes and no, If you are lazy and using it JUST to make money then no, do not do it. I said yes, if you fully read the code and make sure you don't break it. As the last thing you want to get is a massive fine.

You must be commended for due diligence when setting up the number. It is clearly not something that should be entered into without ensuring that all rules are abided by.

I'm not sure I approve of the use of Licence Fee payers' money on it though. ::)

(At the end of the interview with Jeremy Vine you said that they'd called you on the 0871 number.)

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Newt Beaumont on Sep 2^nd, 2013 at 7:58pm

Out of all the BBC Stations I spoke to 2 of them called my 0871 number (even tho I gave BBC my mobile and 0113 number). I new I may get attacked on Twitter for making the BBC call my 0871. That's why i gave my home and mobile lol

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Ian G on Sep 4^th, 2013 at 2:50pm

BBC Radio Berkshire (Sept 3 - ~09:00~) -

US TV Show (Fox) (Sept 3 - 22:45) -

French radio station (Sept 4 - ~....~) -

BBC Radio Northampton (Sept 4 - 13:30) -

Title: Re: 0871 Revenge ?
Post by Ian G on Sep 9^th, 2013 at 12:12pm

Alan Titchmarsh Show, ITV (Sept 9 - 15:20) -
and repeated on ITV+1 (Sept 9 - 16:20)