@virginmedia Virgin mobile excessive charge for 2 minute call

[Anlli]

I made a call from my virgin mobile to Traveline 08712002233 to find out if a certain bus route was operating as normal tomorrow,

as the young person I look after was panicking about getting to her boyfriend's for Christmas.

 

I was on the phone for 2 minutes 45 seconds.

 

A bit later I had a text from virgin saying I had nearly reached my credit limit.

 

I was confused as my bill is only normally about £25.

 

I went online to check my bill and I have been charged £67.94 for this one under 3 minute call!

 

Does anyone know if this is correct?

 

And is there anything I can do about it

 

I'm a full time foster carer and can't afford to pay this.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[citizenB]

Crikey, that is an awful lot for such a short time. I will see if there is anyone who has any ideas.

[citizenB]

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/aug/01/0871-premium-call-numbers

 

Apparently at the moment, 0871 numbers are premium rate numbers. From what I can see, the company has to make you aware of how much the call will cost.

 

I cannot believe you have been charged nearly £70.00 for a call lasting less than 3 minutes and you might need to speak to your provider.

 

I have asked others to look in on you as well.

[citizenB]

It seems as though premium rate numbers are to be banned in the new year.. but there is quite a lot of information in the article below.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/10514587/Premium-rate-phone-lines-ban-for-retailers-and-travel-operators.html

[silverfox1961]

Hi,

Something wrong there. You weren't in Outer Mongolia at the time were you

 

According to Traveline the cost would be 10p per minute plus the network charge.

 

Virgin Mobile show the charge to be 31p per minute. I don't know if the 31p includes the 10p traveline cost but even if not, the most you would pay is £1.23

[sequenci]

As far as I can see that call should have been around 37 pence. Have you spoken to them about it?

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Premium rate numbers for so called 'service information' sites have been a problem for a while now I think these are to be curtailed.

This monstrous charges are common now, a connection charge is levied first I'm told this can be at a ridiculous rate.

 

A formal complaint to your service provider with request for them to investigate may help.

[Anlli]

I was definitely in UK. Thanks for all your your help, hopefully it may be a mistake, I will get onto virgin and see what they say.

[Anlli]

Whoops I misread the statement and the call logged was actually 2 hrs and 45 minutes, not 2 mnutes and 45 seconds. I was rather dismayed about this and sure I ended the call properly but that's what comes of not being very phone savvy I suppose. I emailed virgin and they did knock £35 off the bill which helped. I also contacted Traveline because they must have left that phone line open all that time! They were very unhelpful, I won't be calling them again! Thanks to you guys for your help anyway.

[2Grumpy]

My phone battery won't keep going on a call that long!