I have a mobile contract with Orange and use the post office phone card to call back to the US. Recently, everytime I try to call the phone card number (an 0208... landline) the call is dropped. I just called Orange and customer service told me that they have recently blocked phone card numbers because they don't make money from it. That's absurd! I can't believe that they can do that. Does anyone know if other phone companies are doing the same thing? If it's just Orange, I might try to terminate my contract or just close my bank acct to get out of it, as I'm thinking of switching banks anyway.
1
euro-traveller
You can complain but won't get you anywhere.
Phone companies block access to calling card and indirect access numbers all the time when they find out, to preserve revenue stream.
You have no ground for cancelling your contract with Orange - if you cancel your direct debit or close your bank account, you will get a stiff letter followed by another from debt collecting agency threatening court action. You are legally bound to fulfil your minimum term commitment, 12 or 18 months, or pay up the monthly due of your remaining term.
4
marcs44
I have a landline but it's in the lounge of my flat share, so no privacy, and I'd prefer to use the free minutes on my mobile than to have to chip in more for my landline calls.
I started my contract in Oct and the number just started being blocked this week. If the number didn't work from the beginning, I would've quit my contract in the first few weeks, as they allow you to do. I didn't see anything in the terms and conditions that says they can just block numbers, but supposedly a customer service manager is calling me Monday so I'll see if he can point out the applicable clause.
Thanks for the advice
6
fartherted
O.P.
they keep registering new numbers and orange et al keep banning them
you just have to stay one step ahead
keep an eye on this page from Money saving expert
Link
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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