With so many companies using premium rate telephone numbers, and keeping you holding for an eternity, here are a couple of ways to avoid a hefty phone bill:

Use alternative telephone numbers
Visit www.saynoto0870.com where you can enter the name of the company you’re calling and you’ll be given alternative numbers to use.

Use a re-route app on iPhone or Android smart phone
Mobile providers charge up to 41p per minute – even on 0800 ‘free-phone’ numbers.
Download the 0800Wizard app from Skycom Ltd which reroutes your 0800 number via a landline.