Overvite number: Identify special numbers

Again, a voice message must indicate the price applied before the call is taken into account and billed. Be careful, because sometimes you have to hang up quickly !

Calls & surcharged SMS services

Some numbers for telephone calls or SMS are surcharged. These are numbers that give access to information services, games or relaxation services, erotic or sexual content, etc.

Calls to phone numbers of type 070 or 090X and SMS to short numbers can be surcharged.

Surcharge can lead to significant communication costs. be careful !

You can ask your operator to block access to these surcharged numbers. This service is free.

You will find below a table which summarizes the surcharged numbers, and the maximum rates which can be billed for the use of these numbers.

Overtaxed phones numbers	Maximum prices
070	€ 0.30 / min.
0900	€ 0.50 / min.
0901	€ 0.50 / Call
0902	1 € / min
0903	€ 1.50 / min.
0904	2 € / min.
0905	2 € / Call
0906	1 € / min.
0907	2 € / min.
0909	Flexible (per minute and/or call) but max. 31 € per communication.

Supervixed short numbers	Maximum prices
2000 to 2999	€ 1 for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received
3000 to 3999	€ 4 for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received
4000 to 4999	31 € for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received
5000 to 5999	0.5 € for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received
6000 to 6999	€ 2 for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received
7000 to 7999	€ 4 for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received
9000 to 9499	€ 2 per message for subscription and per message received
9500 to 9999	€ 2 per message for subscription and per message received

You can ask your operator to block access to 09x numbers and short surcharged numbers. This service is free.

In the event of a problem, contact your operator; In case of fraud, you can file a complaint.

Overvite number: Identify special numbers

You have surely noticed, many companies – but also certain public organizations such as the Primary Health Insurance Fund or Pôle Emploi – use special telephone numbers. These are these numbers that are highlighted when it comes to contacting them to, for example, request information, follow an order or call on the after-sales service.

Boredom is that the pricing of communications is not always very clear, some numbers being surcharged, which can cause some – bad – surprises. And, despite the legislation and the resolutions taken by operators, the abuses continue, in particular through SMS that encourage to call special numbers … at a high price !

Special numbers, surcharged numbers, SVA: what is it ?

The surcharged numbers are associated with what is called value -added services (SVA). These are professional numbers awarded to companies (banks, traders, etc.), to public organizations or to administrations to give access to a service linked to their activity, which can be paid or free. Historically, these services and these numbers appeared with the development of telematics – the famous 3615 of the minitel, the oldest of which no doubt remember … – in particular the audiotel service of France Telecom, which has made the fortune of many companies.

With the passage of ten -digit dialing in 1996 and the arrival of mobile telephony in France at the same time, these services have multiplied, as are the abuses of all kinds, certain consumers finding themselves with disproportionate telephone bills, Failing to understand the prices applied.

A first information effort was made, with a special signage based on a color code – the famous green, azure, crystal, indigo numbers. -, but she did not prevent confusion in the minds of users – and scams in some entrepreneurs.

In accordance with its missions, the regulatory authority for electronic communications, posts and distribution of the press (ARCEP) was therefore responsible, a few years ago, to reform the organization and pricing of service numbers to added value (SVA). This reform led to the implementation, since October 1, 2015, of a new simplified pricing of the SVAs associated with clearer signage. It notably distinguishes the cost of telephone communication and the cost of the associated added value service.

How to recognize long paid numbers ?

“Long” phones have ten digits. “Normal” numbers are not subject to any surcharge, unlike many special numbers. Fortunately, it is quite simple to recognize them.

• The normal numbers, known as geographic, are the ten -digit numbers starting with 01, 02, 03, 04 or 05, each prefix corresponding to a region. It is not subject to any special pricing: these are so -called “fixed” numbers, which are generally included, and therefore free, when they are called with an internet box or with a mobile phone – if they are included in The package, obviously.
• The numbers starting with 09 correspond to fixed, but non -geographic numbers, generally associated with internet boxes. They obey the same pricing rules as geographic fixed numbers and are therefore not surcharged, Even when it comes to the customer service of a company – it is this type of number “free” that must be favored, when you know it.
• The numbers starting with 06 or 07 correspond to mobile numbers. As such, they are priced at the cost of mobile communications, and therefore sometimes included in telephone plans. But they are not surcharged.
• Long numbers (ten -digit) starting with 08 are special SVA numbers susceptible to surcharged beings. But several prices are possible. To avoid any confusion and comply with the Arcep reform, SVA+, an association bringing together operators and service providers, has set up a signage associated with color codes.
• The numbers starting with 0800, 0801, 0802, 0803, 0804 or 0805 are completely free, whether from a landline or a mobile device. They are reported by a green label and the mention “free service & call”.

• The numbers starting with 0806, 0807, 0808 or 0809 are called trivialized. The service is free, but communication is paying,. They are reported by a gray label and the mention “Free service + call price”.

• All other numbers starting with 08 are surcharged (increased). The call and the associated service are paid. They are reported by a purple label and a mention detailing the applied rate, such as “€ 0.15 service / call + call price”.

In all cases, a voice message must indicate the price applied before the call is taken into account and billed. Be careful, because you sometimes have to be very responsive !

How to recognize paid short numbers ?

In addition to long numbers, you must also be wary of short three or four digits numbers, which are often associated with voice servers. Again, some are free, others pay !

• Short four -digit numbers starting with 30 or 31 are completely free, From a fixed or a mobile. They are also reported by a green label and the mention “free service & call”.
• The other short four -digit numbers starting with 3 are paid. Some, reported by a gray label, are said to be trivialized and only pay the communication, the remaining service. Others, indicated by a purple label, are surcharged, and charge both the call and the service, indicating the prices applied.
• Short three -digit numbers starting with 1 are paid. The call is always trivialized (therefore paying for duration), and the associated service is priced either per minute or call.

Again, a voice message must indicate the price applied before the call is taken into account and billed. Be careful, because sometimes you have to hang up quickly !

Consult the reverse directory of SVA numbers to find out the prices

If you have a doubt about the pricing of a special number, the simplest is still to consult, before the call, the reverse directory of SVA numbers. Established by SVA+, the association of operators and service providers, this online tool allows you to very easily know the nature and pricing of a special number, whether it is type 08 or short.

As with any reverse directory, it is enough to enter the number in the associated field and to launch a research to know the identity of its owner – name, address, social reason, etc. – and the price applied.

Of course, This service completely free. And it is possible to report erroneous information or a problem with the service in question by filling out a report form.

What to do in the event of a high telephone bill due to surcharged numbers ?

The legislator has provided for some measures to avoid abuses of yesteryear. Thus, fixed or mobile telephone operators – Orange, Bouygues Telecom, Free, SFR, etc. -cannot make payment greater than 300 euros on behalf of third-party companies through the bill of their subscribers without having appropriate bank accreditation-accreditation which they do not have to date according to article L521-3-1 of the monetary and financial code.

If you see on your telephone bill payments on behalf of third -party companies of an amount greater than 300 euros, immediately make an official complaint with your operator and notify the arcep via the special site I alert the arcep.

Special numbers and surcharged numbers: what does the law say ?

To learn more about the rules and legislation framing special numbers, consult the following pages on the web.

• Decree of June 10, 2009 relating to information on price of telephone calls to value -added services on Legifrance.
• The pricing of numbers starting with 08 on the portal of the economy, finance, action and public accounts.
• The SVA reform on the Arcep website.
• The recommendations and ethics of the SVA association+.
• The practical sheet established by the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and the Repression of Frauds (DGCCRF).