Ex Directory Numbers

[HelenaJules1]

How do you legally find exdirectory numbers?

[ChuckFickens]

approach person whos number it is, open mouth and say the words "what is your phone number please?"

[Jan1957]

You can't. When I worked for BT we were only allowed to give these numbers to the Police and they had to follow official guidelines before even they could get one. We had to contact the person whose number it was for permission first. That was 5 years ago but I doubt if it has changed.

[ACtheTROLL]

there are two types of ex directory - call and no calls

if it's calls - directory enquiries can ring them and if they agree put the call through (not that dq exist anymore)

if it's n/c = no chance

jan - if the police or security services want a number - you don't ring the people first..... they tend to prefer to visit unannounced, in person - either very early or very late ....

[Mr Veritas]

Jan is right,
I have the following from In A Pickle,who used to work for BT.
The ONLY persons who could be connected to an XD number are as follows:~
Police
Fire
Ambulance
Coastguard
Doctor in Hospital( administering to critical patient)
and these ONLY in a matter of Life & Death.

The XD information is kept by a section of BT in (used to be) Aberystwyth.
The BT XD Operator in the call centre had to convince the XD Centre that the number being divulged was necessary.
Once the BT Operator had the number,they would call it and say "This is the BT XD Operator at(name of call centre) will you take a call from the Police" etc.
If the XD person agreed the BT Operator would call the Police etc and connect them.The ONLY person/s who knew the number were the XD centre,and the BT Operator in the exchange.
When the Police etc were billed for the call it appeared thus
01273 000000.
There were XD numbers which paid to be "accept calls",but Pickle tells me he never (in 25 years) came across one that needed to be.

ACtheTROLL
The Police often want to ring XD numbers in the case of car crashes,and other sudden bereavememts.

BTW,this all dealt with by the BT Operator on 100.