Ever wanted to know how to get around those endless automatic phone responses? Well, follow these guidelines and we might be able to help.
IVRs ("interactive voice response") are the annoying computers that answer phones. Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show has teamed up with Paul English, an American who's beating these computers at their own game to come up with some cheats to get straight through to a human. Paul's worked out an extensive list of cheats for the US and he's helping us crack some of the hardest British systems.
If you know of any cheat or accidentally discover one then do email us at
5oclock@itv.com.
General cheats. These are cheats which can often work if there isn't a specific cheat listed.
Press 0 (or 0# or #0 or 0* or *0) repeatedly, sometimes quickly. Many IVRs will connect to a human after a few "invalid entries", although some IVRs will hangup.
Say "get human" (or "agent" or "representative") or shout your favorite four letter word. If these are not programmed, the IVR might again connect you to a human after a few of these "invalid entries".
Just hold, pretending you have only a rotary phone (the old fashioned one with a dial)
Connect to sales; they always seem to answer quickly, then have them transfer you to the department you need.
When you do finally find a human, ask them how to connect directly the next time (in case your call gets disconnnected etc), and be sure to tell us so we can pass the information along.
Specific UK cheats (more will be added)
PC World - main number is 08702 420 444 %u2013 press * then the 4 digit store number (which is on the top of your receipt) i.e. 4802 for Gloucester, then #, and you will get through to your chosen store.
Virgin Trains - when the system starts simply say %u201CAGENT%u201D and it will put you through to an advisor.
Lloyds TSB Credit Cards - customer service line. When asked to say your 16 digit card number, just say %u201CAGENT%u201D as well, and you will go straight through.
Alliance and Leicester - press 0#0#0#0#0 repeatedly until you get a ringing tone
Tesco - (0800 591 688) - when prompted to select an option - do NOT press anything - do this everytime you get a prompt. The system will think you have an old fashioned rotary phone and take you straight through.
MBNA credit card - there's a phone number on the back of your card which is for customers abroad (01244 672 2000). Use that and you'll jump the queue.
Currys - (0870 609 712) Press # - when told that option is not available press again. You may need to do this a few times.
BT - (0800 800 150) - Just press * whenever you get a prompt. Ignore the operator when it says that the shortcut is invalid and press again. This will take you straight through to a ringing tone and an operator.
Since first featuring Phone Cheat Sheet tips on the show we have been sent lots more tips by viewers.
Here are some more to add to the list so that you don't have to be hanging on the phone any longer than necessary.
Sent by viewers:
Argos
0870 600 8784 - press 0 # four times
Telewest
0845 142 0220 - press * at the first and second prompts
Sky TV technical support
0870 243 5000 - press * # repeatedly
Virgin Mobile
0845 6000 070 - press # a few times
Orange Pay Monthly
07973 100 150 - press 0 continually
Amazon
0800 279 6620 - press 5 at prompts
All from this website
Phone Cheat Sheet
IVR Telephone Cheats 
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