Are 020 Numbers Free To Call?

Do 020 numbers cost the caller? This is a commonly asked question with people often confusing them with non-geographic telephone numbers. All 020 numbers are actually area calling codes for London and Greater London, which means anyone calling these numbers may need to pay phone charges.

However, the cost of calling a 020 number can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of call plan you have with your phone provider or whether you are making a landline or mobile call. It is also important to consider if you are calling from within London or from outside so that you don’t incur extra costs.

In this article, we will explain exactly how much such calls are likely to cost, as well as what else you need to know about UK 020 numbers.

What are 020 Numbers?

020 numbers are phone numbers that have been assigned to the area of Greater London. They were introduced in April 2000 and replaced the 0181 and 0171 prefixes. The 020 numbers are made up of an initial three-digit code (020), followed by a seven-digit number.

The areas covered by 020 include:

• Inner London (E14, EC1–4, N1–22, SE1–20, SW1–20, W1–14)
• Outer London (E15–18, NW3–7, RM9-17, TW8-19)
• Surrounding areas (HP23+24, IG2+3, MK41–48, NW9–11)

Why was the 020 Area Code Introduced?

The 020 area code was introduced to make it easier for people to identify calls that are made from London and Greater London, as the previous system of using separate area codes could be confusing. This also made it easier for businesses who wanted to set up a single landline number to cover all these areas. 

It was not the first time that the London area codes were changed in this way with similar changes coming in 1990 and 1995 with both intended to simplify calls and adhere to nationwide area code norms. 

How Much Does It Cost to Call a 020 Number?

The cost of calling a 020 number depends on a number of factors which you should be aware of before making a call. To begin with, if you are making a landline call from inside London it will usually cost no more than a standard national rate call. On the other hand, if you are making a mobile call from within London it can cost more than a normal call to a UK landline.

Also, depending on your phone provider and plan, there may be additional charges imposed when calling 020 numbers from outside of London as well as higher rates for calls at certain times of the day or week. For example, BT charges more for these types of calls between 7 am and 7 pm on weekdays.

However, many mobile and landline phone provider plans include 020 numbers in their inclusive minutes, so it is worth checking with your provider to see if this applies to you.

Finally, the organisation which uses the 020 number may also have additional charges. This is often true for NPOs and charities which use the charges as a way of fundraising.

Can Individuals or Organisations Outside of Greater London Use 020 Numbers?

One of the issues with 020 numbers is that so-called “virtual” 0203 numbers can be bought by organisations which are based outside of London. In most cases, this is perfectly acceptable, as long as any additional charges for calls to these numbers are clearly displayed by the organisation on their website or other communications. However, it can cause confusion for callers who expect the organisation to be based in London and to be charged accordingly but end up incurring higher costs when making the call.

There are a number of reasons why individuals and organisations outside of London may use an 0203 number. These include:

• To appear more local to callers 
• To benefit from the perceived prestige of being London-based
• To make it easier for customers or clients to remember the number 
• As part of a national branding strategy 
• To provide customers with a single point of contact no matter where they are located

Potential Scams Linked to 020 Numbers

Unfortunately, 020 numbers can also be associated with scams. This is why it is important to always check the legitimacy of a company before calling or providing any personal information.

Common scams include premium rate calls where you are charged an exorbitant amount for the call, as well as voicemails which direct you to make a call to a premium rate number.

The availability of purchasable 0203 numbers also means that customers and callers can be potentially deceived about the legitimacy of a company or organisation. This is especially true if the number is similar to the genuine London-based organisation that the scammer is posing as.

How to Protect Yourself from 020 Number Scams

The best way to protect yourself from scams associated with 020 numbers is to always be aware of potential warning signs. Being cautious and questioning any suspicious activity or requests for personal information can go a long way in protecting you from falling victim to these types of scams.

Another thing you can do is to make sure that the organisation you are dealing with is a legitimate business by researching the company online and checking the company’s website for contact details or references. Additionally, you can check with your telephone provider to see if they offer any protection measures against premium rate numbers so that you are not charged excessively for calls.

Final Thoughts

In summary, 020 numbers can be a great way to connect with businesses in London and take advantage of the localised rates associated with calling from within London. However, the answer to the question “Do 020 numbers cost you to call?” depends on a range of factors such as the phone provider, time of day and organisation itself. It is also important to be aware of potential scams which can occur when using 020 numbers. By being vigilant and researching the company before calling or providing any personal information, you should be able to protect yourself from these types of scams.

The post Are 020 Numbers Free To Call? appeared first on Real Business.