Yep! CW got caught a little while back!

http://bleedingedge.com.au/blog/archives/2006/07/telstra_were_here_to_fleece_yo.html

This old myth going around again? The 1223 number is not secret. It's clearly listed on Telstra's web site: http://www.telstra.com.au/phones/homeservices/distance_da.htm

Whether the 1223 number is secret or not, it's probably better and simpler just to use 1-800-free411. With enough people doing this, the 1234 number will die out quickly enough.

Edit: Nothing like US Spam Monkeys offering Aussies a US Service :-S - Stephen

The email you have sent is in fact an old-hoax email that has been circulating for two years. Here are some facts to set the record straight:

1234 is a service that provides a whole range of information such as what’s on in your city, the latest sports results, movie session times, street directions, as well as phone numbers and connection. In response to feedback from callers, Sensis has changed the price of calls to 1234 by removing the time-based charges and replacing them with a fee of $1.40 (mobile charges apply). Now you can obtain as much information as you like in the one call. You can also be connected to a requested number for an additional $0.88 (plus cost of connected call).

Directory Assistance on 1223 continues to be free from Telstra home phones and payphones. For calls from Telstra business and mobile phones, a flat fee of $0.50 applies.

There is also a new Call Connect service on 12456, which provides connection to numbers from the Yellow and White Pages directories. It costs $0.99 to call (mobile charges apply) and an extra $0.88 for connection (plus cost of connected call).

* If you can access these services but are billed by someone other than Telstra, you need to contact your service provider to see what charges apply.

There's no conspiracy - just three simple numbers for you to choose from when looking for information over the phone. For more details, visit www.voiceservices.com.au.

Wake up folks - Telstra is no longer majority owned by the gov't. Most of you voted for the mob that sold it off!

Thanks for clearing that up Nick, I would hardly call it a hoax e-mail though. The only part of the e-mail that is in fact inaccurate is that the 1234 number is NOT replacing 12456.

All three telephone numbers for 'Directory Service Offerings' are in place and if you look at page 1 of the Telstra Business & Government Whitepages (Melb 05/06 Edition) it clearly states that calls to 1234 cost $0.40 when answered by an operator and then $0.04 per second thereafter. With your price changes that you state above at least the unsuspecting customer that calls this service has a flat fee of $1.40 now whereas previously a 25 second phone call would have cost that amount.

Thanks Stephen - I refered to the email as a hoax because the original message included the email signature of a laywer at Slater & Gordon who has since disclaimed any knowledge or authorship of the email.

Just to add to the debate - the sole reason Telstra offers 1234 and all the services it provides is because it was forced by customer preference to copy Vodafone's 123 service. You can hardly accuse Telstra of ripping the public off by copying a service that a competitor started and which proved popular.

I have noticed that Telstra handsets come preconfigured with 1234 and 12456.
Obviously they don't preconfigure 1223

Thats nice of Telstra now isn't it Dave!

Is this for mobiles or Landline handsets?