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118 directory enquiries
Very expensive, capped per 90 seconds
Ofcom caps the service charge at 304.167p per 90 seconds excluding VAT.
Directory enquiry services. The service charge is capped at 304.167 pence per 90 seconds excluding VAT, which makes even a short call costly.
Calls to this range are billed as two parts: an access charge set by your own provider, plus a service charge set by the organisation you are calling. Adverts must quote both.
118 numbers are directory enquiry services. They are not the numbers that normally ring you; they are numbers you dial, and they can be expensive.
What are 118 numbers?
The 118 range is used for directory enquiries, such as 118 118 and 118 500. Providers set their own prices, which often include a per-call fee plus a charge per minute, and they can be far more than a normal call.
You may see a 118 number on a missed call or text. Do not call back, as it could be a trap to make you dial a premium service.
Free ways to find a number
Searching online, checking the company’s own website and using a free phone book are all cheaper than ringing a 118 service. If you do use one, ask the price at the start of the call; providers have to tell you.