HMRC has worst customer service line in phone rage index

Calling a customer service line is so often a hassle -- and a new 'phone rage index' reveals that phoning the taxman is the most taxing call of all. To continue to the next paragraph, please press 1.

PleasePress1 compiles the menus of customer service lines so you can press ahead to quickly skip to the option you need. By counting how many people visit each company's page, PleasePress1 has compiled a 'phone rage index' of the worst companies to be stuck on the line with.

The worst organisation to be on the end of the line with is HM Revenue and Customs, which has a thoroughly taxing 400 menu options over six services. To continue to the next paragraph, please press 1 for you, 19 for me.

Car manufacturer Ford is next, followed by Lloyds TSB. PleasePress1 says it's meeting with many companies to discuss the bad design of their phone-based customer service, Lloyds among them.

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The headaches of multiple menus are made worse by the knowledge you're paying through the nose to hold the phone to your ear -- especially if you're on your mobile. Adding up the time spent hangin' on the telephone, PleasePress1 reckons that we've wasted a whopping £100m on phone charges.

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Fortunately, telecoms watchdog Ofcom recently outlined plans to sort out expensive call charges for customer service, directory inquiries and Freephone numbers. Until that happens, check out Say No to 0870 to find alternative numbers for customer service, 0800Buster to sidestep charges, and MoneySavingExpert's guides to call charges from a landline and from a mobile.

What's the worst phone service you've ever had the misfortune to dial? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or head for our Facebook page to speak to an actual human.