UK Premium Rate Numbers: Which phone numbers cost more to call?

We all know Premium Rate numbers can cost more to call than standard ones… But how can you tell whether a phone number is Premium Rate?

With so many different digits, it isn’t always obvious which UK numbers are free to call… and which numbers could result in an extra charge.

It’s not as simple as saying Premium Rate numbers are only used for TV contests either, because they could cover anything – from directory enquiries and business support lines, to chat lines, subscriptions, and a plethora of other services charged to your phone bill!

But what if we told you there’s a simple way to figure out which UK phone numbers might cost more to call… Hidden in plain sight?

Let’s get into it!

By the way…

If you’ve hit a wall with a communications provider, CommsADR offers a FREE, independent route to a resolution – approved by Ofcom to settle non-regulated disputes between providers and their customers across the UK, whether you’re an individual consumer or a business with more than 10 employees.

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How can you tell which UK phone numbers are Premium Rate?

One of the easiest ways to identify a Premium Rate Service (PRS) is to check the number or shortcode you are being asked to call or text.

In the UK, certain prefixes (digits at the start of a phone number) are commonly used for services that might cost more than a standard call.

Here’s an example:

084x xxx xxxx ← Here, 084 would be the prefix!

Knowing these prefixes can help you instantly identify whether a phone number is Premium Rate or just a standard line – but don’t worry, no one actually expects you to memorise dozens of digits off by heart! Luckily, plenty of online tools exist where you can look up telephone numbers before ringing them to instantly identify whether or not an extra charge might be added for your call.

For example, check out Ofcom’s handy Premium Rate Service Checker!

If you’re curious to learn more about what exactly Premium Rate Services (PRS) are, please see our dedicated article on the topic:

> What are Premium Rate Services (PRS)? A Consumer’s Guide

Which UK phone number prefixes may carry additional charges?

So, now that you know phone number prefixes are a key way of being able to identify numbers carrying additional charges… Which prefixes are actually reserved for Premium Rate numbers?

Here’s a brief overview of the most common prefixes used by Premium Rate numbers:

Prefix

What is it commonly used for?

084

Business & enquiry lines

087

Business & enquiry lines

Entertainment (e.g. TV voting), chat-lines, & other services

118

Directory enquiries

5- & 6-digit
shortcodes

Competitions, voting, donations, subscriptions & other services

How much do Premium Rate numbers cost?

If you’re considering calling a Premium Rate number, this is the natural next question!

But here’s the thing: a phone number’s prefix can give you an important clue about whether or not it’s Premium Rate, and how a call may be charged… but the prefix alone won’t tell you the final price.

The charges associated with calling a Premium Rate Service will vary from number-to-number, so it’s important to double-check the advertised price of the one you’re trying to call before dialling.

What should you do if you notice an unexpected Premium Rate Charge?

If you’ve just looked at your phone bill and had your jaw drop thanks to an exorbitant, unexpected PRS charge, DON’T PANIC!

If you believe you’ve been charged incorrectly, it’s usually best to:

Review your phone bill to identify the charge
Gather any relevant messages, emails, or receipts
Contact the service provider to ask for an explanation
If necessary, contact your phone provider for further information
Keep a record of any correspondence about your complaint
File a formal complaint with the PRS provider, using their published complaints process

Step 6 is the key here: a PRS provider can’t necessarily resolve the issue if you don’t at least attempt to let them know about it via an official channel. Even if you want to take your complaint directly to an Alternative Dispute Resolution provider (such as CommsADR!), or to court, most processes will still require you to prove that you at least attempted to resolve things with the PRS provider directly in the first instance.

For example, in order to bring your non-regulated communications complaint to CommsADR, you have to have complained directly to the provider first, and given them 8 weeks to respond.

Many disputes can be resolved by raising the issue directly with the provider in the first instance.

When Can CommsADR Help?

If you’ve been unable to resolve your non-regulated complaint with a Premium Rate Service provider after submitting a direct complaint, your dispute may be eligible for FREE, independent escalation through an ADR scheme (such as CommsADR); no need to take the provider to court!

To use CommsADR, you just need to make sure you’ve fulfilled at least 1 of these conditions:

Received the Premium Rate Service provider’s Final Written Response
(otherwise known as a ‘Deadlock Letter’)
Given the Premium Rate Service provider 8 weeks to respond to your dispute

PLEASE NOTE: CommsADR can only deal with disputes concerning ‘non-regulated’ matters.

If your complaint concerns a regulated matter, you must take your complaint to either CISAS, or the Communications Ombudsman.

Not sure what the difference is between a regulated and non-regulated complaint? Please see our dedicated article on the topic here:

> Regulated VS Non-Regulated Communications Complaints: What’s the Difference?