People on benefits are being charged up to 65p a minute to use government helplines.
This is despite promises to stop using premium rate numbers.
In 2013, the Cabinet Office recommended free 0800 numbers or 03 numbers, which are charged at geographic rates, for helplines used by “low-income or vulnerable groups”.
But six years on, government agencies are still using pricey phone lines.
Calling HMRC’s tax credits 0345 helpline from a mobile costs up to 65p per minute.
The DVLA is another department that fails to provide free numbers.
David Hickson, of the Fair Telecoms Campaign, called on officials to follow the lead of the Department
for Work and Pensions, which recently made its helplines free to call.
He said: “The risk is that vulnerable people will end up paying 65p per minute if they have exceeded the terms of their bundle or inclusive call plan.”
HMRC said: “We know that some customers will want to talk to us directly and we are doing all we can to keep waiting times as low as possible.
“We introduced digital services such as webchat and Personal Tax Accounts.”
