Is it ethical for the DSS to to use premium rate lines for calls requesting dissability ,loan claim forms etc?
And then to keep callers on hold .?
Answers:
My local council does it for info on just about anything ...
Is it ethical for DVLA to do the same and not even let you talk to a real person after?
Not unethical, but possibly forced by budgetary constraints.
Nothing prevents you from writing for those forms. Much cheaper.
You are kidding. I hope this is a joke question.
I know.there used to be one number that was always engaged too,to get through to it we had to keep hitting redial on the landline and mobile and see which got through first-it still took half an hour.
Try finding a geographical(01 or 02) number for it from
http://www.saynoto0870.com/
click on find alternative number at the top then type in DWP in the top box or the phone number you have in the bottom and it'll give you a 01 or 02 numbr thats either cheaper to phone or if you have free minutes will be free to phone.
;-)
I see ur point tho,debt companies do this aswell-its taking advantage of the ppl who cannot afford it the most-just like gas/electric prepayment meters.
Many 0845/0870 etc numbers get a cut of the call cost too so thats prob why they do it,you probly spend the same amount of money on the call as the amount of money they giv u on a loan!!
You wouldn't think so, would you.
absolutely no way!!
Tony Blair's legacy.Capitalist state...opps sorry he is a socialist...must have lost his way.
Do they really do that? Surely not! The barstewards!
No but this government sees everybody (except themselves of course) as cash cows.
The lines are not premium rate, plus they have to make their money back somehow!!
no DWP that is the proper name DSS was abolished years ago do not use premium rate telephone numbers most use 0845 which is the local rate from wherever in the country you telephone from. They do not get a cut from this and in reality they have to pay bt for the privlege of having these numbers so whoever as misinformed you or led you to believe the 0845 was a premium rate number is a complete arsehole.
most disabilty lines for dla and such are in fact 0800 numbers which are free to call so it will not matter how long you are on hold it wont cost you a bean GET REAL
The DHSS and other government agencies should never use premium rate lines they get enough tax from the companies as it is without giving us another STEALTH TAX.The biggest problem nowadays is the government are spending so much on people like Cherie Blair and her compadres to defend the undefendable they have to get their money from somewhere why not the poor
Unfortunately, though we might think it unethical, so many companies, organisations of this type tend to do the same. Suppose its a way of them gaining some income to pay the wages. It certainly doesn't go to help those in need.
If they are using premium-rate lines (but some of the answers above cast doubt on that - displaying the usual amount of charm and tact) then it is not ethical.
Check to be absolutely sure and once you are certain contact your local MP. You won't get any action until October because of the summer recess (vacation now, party conferences in September), but he/she will be the one to address the issue.
It may be an idea to post the number(s) that concerns you so those answering can see the four digit prefix
I haven't heard this one before.
What a bloody cheek. Maybe the law society would be interested to hear of this.?
I would have thought they use 0845 numbers which are cheaper! Even 0870 isn't that bad - its the price of a national call.
I find it hard to believe that they use premium rate numbers.
They don't. There are no premium rate numbers for the DWP (as they now are).
0845 isn't a premium rate line its the cost of a local call unless your using a mobile.
If you can't afford 0845 try going to Jobcentre, they've got "warm phones" to speak to most DWP processing or if making a new claim to benefit.
In my area could also reverse charges for Crisis Loan applications from any BT phone box.
Think its best to get facts right before causing mayhem!
DSS has started to thieve! JC! We pay all the taxes so some jumped up persons come up with this rubbish. Sack the lot is what I say.U ok?
The DWP don't use premium rate numbers.
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