Personal numbering
Personal numbering is the name for the virtual telephone number service in the UK. Typically the national destination code used for this service is (0)70. The service provides a flexible virtual telephone number able to be routed to any other number, including international mobiles. For example, the UK number +44 70 0585 0070 might route to an Inmarsat satellite phone number, allowing the user to have a UK number while roaming globally.
This service has however been reported as having "significant scamming activity" of various sorts.[1][2]
- (For the telephone numbering plan context of 070 numbers see Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom).
History
In the United States, AT&T ran a trial in 1991[3] which led, in 1992, to the AT&T EasyReach 700 service[4][5][6] of follow me numbers, on area code 700.
Early days
After protracted lobbying of Oftel throughout 1992, FleXtel launched the UK's first Personal Telephone Number Service, using the 09567 number range in December 1993,[7][8]
070 introduction
In 1995 the UK telecoms regulator, Oftel (now Ofcom), reserved the whole of the 070 range exclusively for personal numbering, imitating the USA area code 700. FleXtel migrated its existing customers across during a two year transition phase.
Fraudulent use
Call cost scams
A range of scams revolve around UK residents being tricked into making calls to 070 numbers that attract much larger than normal call costs.[9][10][11][12][13]
False UK number scams
In its full format (e.g. +44 70 0585 0070) an 070 number will be internationally recognisable as a UK number - even though it might in fact terminate to a mobile number anywhere - this feature is used in a variety of scams.[14]
See also
- Personal Numbers, similar service in Spain
- Area code 700, similar US service
- Follow-me, similar concept for PBXs
- Virtual number
- Universal Personal Telecommunications
References
- ^ Ofcom (15 October 2008). "Review of the 070 personal numbering range". Office of Communications. Archived from the original on 18 October 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Consumers warned about 070 missed call scam". ofcom. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Bensley, John (1 March 1998). "700 Personal Numbering Trials in the USA". Papers. TeleScapes. Archived from the original on 15 August 2000.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Lifetime Telephone Numbers". New York Times. 29 April 1992. Archived from the original on 13 July 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "AT&T announces Easy Reach 700". 2 May 1992. Archived from the original on 2 December 1996.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "The 700 Club". Time. 11 May 1992. Archived from the original on 9 March 2008.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Small Company Launches Caller Pays Service". Financial Times. 2 December 1993. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "09567 Flextel classic". 12 May 1996. Archived from the original on 20 December 1996.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Ofcom opens investigation into the cost of 118 calls". BBC. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Oftel (1 May 2001). "Restoring trust in Personal Numbering". Office of Telecommuncations. Archived from the original on 8 May 2004.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Oftel (16 January 2004). "Personal Numbering - Guidance on the acceptable use of 070 Numbers". Office of Telecommunications. Archived from the original on 17 April 2004.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Ofcom (15 October 2008). "Review of the 070 personal numbering range" (PDF). Office of Communications. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ FleXtel. "Working with Ofcom for Consumer Empowerment". FleXtel Ltd. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "What to do with (international) phone scams?". Farudhelpdesk.org. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
