Much will have more

It’s no surprise that creditors, or any other business, are always trying to increase profit margins. But, of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t do our little bit to keep those profit margins down, and perhaps prevent us from being ripped off so much in the process.

An article in the Guardian this weekend highlights the growing trend for businesses to use 0870 (or similar) numbers for customer contacts. These numbers are commonly known as “National Rate” numbers – i.e. you pay a standard rate wherever you are calling from. It’s misleading, in that the rate you pay isn’t necessarily the “National Rate”, but also because of the way they are set up, the creditors are making profits on each call of several pence per minute, per call.

The fight back is being led by this website. You are able to search for alternate numbers that don’t put extra money into the creditor's pocket. A good idea.