Receiving unexpected phone calls from unfamiliar numbers can cause confusion and concern, especially when the number seems official.
One such number that frequently pops up in the UK is 0344 822 4650. Many have reported this number calling them, prompting questions such as: “Is this a scam?”, “Is it a legitimate company?”, or “Why are they contacting me?”
This article takes a professional, fact-based look at the number 0344 822 4650 to determine who it belongs to, why they might be calling, and whether or not you should be concerned.
What Is the Number 0344 822 4650 and Who Uses It?
The number 0344 822 4650 is a non-geographic number used within the United Kingdom. Numbers beginning with 0344 are charged at standard geographic rates and are used by organisations that need a national presence.
Unlike 0800 or 0870 numbers, they are not free or premium-rate numbers but fall within normal landline charges.
In this case, 0344 822 4650 is linked to Very, a well-known online retail company operating in the UK. This number is associated with the customer service department, and is often used to follow up on:
- Online orders placed by customers
- Delivery notifications or delays
- Account queries, including outstanding payments
Very is part of The Very Group, which operates other brands like Littlewoods. Customer service numbers for these companies typically fall within similar number ranges.
The presence of 0344 822 4650 in many consumer lookup platforms suggests it is a frequently used contact point.
However, it also means that individuals receiving unexpected calls may become suspicious, especially if they have not recently interacted with the brand.
Who Is Very and What Do They Do?
Very is a major British online retailer operating under the full legal name Shop Direct Home Shopping Limited, which trades as Very and Littlewoods.com. It functions as a subsidiary of The Very Group, owned by The Barclay family.
Very has grown into a prominent name in the e-commerce sector, offering a wide range of products including:
- Fashion and clothing
- Home accessories
- Toys and games
- Technology and electronics
- Beauty and personal care
The company is based in Speke, Liverpool, United Kingdom and serves both the UK and Irish markets through its websites very.co.uk and very.ie.
Company Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | E-commerce |
| Founded | 1990s |
| Headquarters | Speke, Liverpool, United Kingdom |
| Area Served | United Kingdom, Ireland |
| Key People | Henry Birch (CEO) |
| Parent Company | The Very Group |
| Ownership | The Barclay family |
| Main Websites | very.co.uk, very.ie |
| Primary Products | Clothing, home accessories, toys, gaming |
History and Evolution
The Very brand emerged as part of the broader transformation of the Littlewoods brand. Originally founded as Littlewoods Direct in the 1990s, the company evolved into a leading online retailer after the closure of its high-street stores in 2005.
- In 2002, the Barclay brothers acquired the Littlewoods business.
- By 2005, the company shifted to an entirely online retail model.
- In 2009, Littlewoods Direct was rebranded to co.uk, targeting a younger and more digitally engaged audience.
- A mobile-optimised site was launched in 2010, followed by enhanced multimedia capabilities in 2011, such as product videos and images.
- By 2013/14, over a third of their online sales came through mobile devices.
Woolworths.co.uk Integration
In 2009, the company also acquired the intellectual property for Woolworths and launched Woolworths.co.uk under the Shop Direct umbrella. However, by June 2015, this website was retired, and all its traffic was redirected to Very.co.uk. In 2021, the remaining Woolworths branding rights were sold to Woolworth Germany.
Marketing and Brand Promotion
Very is known for its high-profile marketing strategies involving celebrity endorsements, branded collections, and TV product placement.
Some notable brand ambassadors and collaborators include:
- Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton – fashion collections and advertising campaigns
- Jameela Jamil, Diana Vickers, and Kimberley Walsh – featured in various promotional activities
- Michelle Keegan – launched homeware and fashion collections in partnership with the brand
In addition, Very has sponsored events such as:
- V Festival, offering a special delivery service to attendees
- Celebrity Big Brother, with click-to-buy product placements on Channel 5
These efforts reflect Very’s positioning as a modern, accessible, and style-focused retail platform.
Why Would Very Be Calling from 0344 822 4650?
Very uses the number 0344 822 4650 to perform several customer service tasks. The nature of the call usually corresponds to a customer’s recent interaction with the company.
Common reasons for receiving a call from this number include:
- Confirmation of recent purchases, especially high-value items
- Verifying delivery addresses or confirming delivery arrangements
- Notifying customers about payment issues or overdue balances
- Responding to enquiries raised through online forms or the Very app
- Account verification if unusual activity is detected
- Offering product protection plans or credit account services
When a call is made, it is typically part of an effort to either improve the service experience or resolve an issue. If the call was missed, customers can call back or use the official website to manage their account.
Reasons Why Very Might Call from 0344 822 4650
| Purpose of Call | Description |
|---|---|
| Order Confirmation | Verify and confirm recent purchases |
| Delivery Updates | Inform about delivery timeframes or delays |
| Payment Notification | Notify customers about missed or upcoming payments |
| Account Verification | Ensure account security and verify identity |
| Customer Service Follow-Up | Respond to previous support queries |
| Promotional Offers or Upselling | Provide information on warranties or credit offers |
If none of the above scenarios apply to you and you receive a call from this number, it is worth checking your account activity or contacting Very directly through their official website.
Is 0344 822 4650 a Legitimate Number or a Scam?
0344 822 4650 is widely reported as an official customer service number for Very. Many UK residents have verified that after placing an order or initiating a customer service request, they received a call from this number.
It is common for eCommerce companies like Very to use automated or outsourced call centres that handle outbound communications through such numbers.
Despite this legitimacy, some individuals have labelled the number as potentially suspicious. This is usually due to:
- Repeated missed calls without voicemail
- Silent calls where the line disconnects after answering
- Lack of context if the recipient hasn’t recently interacted with Very
In rare cases, scammers can spoof legitimate-looking numbers. Spoofing is a technique where fraudsters falsify the number that appears on your caller ID. This is why even authentic numbers like 0344 822 4650 should be approached with caution, particularly if the caller is requesting personal or financial information.
To determine whether a call from 0344 822 4650 is trustworthy, cross-reference the call with your recent activity on Very’s website. Also, check your emails or account for any alerts.
Are There Any Risks in Answering Calls from 0344 822 4650?
In terms of technical or financial risk, there is generally no danger in answering a call from 0344 822 4650. It is not a premium-rate number, and receiving a call does not incur any charges.
However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
- If a voicemail is not left, and you did not place an order, it may seem suspicious
- Some recipients have reported silent calls, which can be a result of auto-diallers used in call centres
- If a caller requests security details, bank information or payment over the phone, this should raise a red flag
0344 numbers are charged at the same rate as 01 or 02 numbers in the UK and are typically included in monthly phone bundles. That said, caution should always be exercised when the purpose of a call is unclear or when sensitive information is being requested.
Customers can also request communication preferences to be updated on their Very account to reduce the chance of receiving phone calls.
How Can You Confirm the Identity of 0344 822 4650?
Verifying the identity of a caller from 0344 822 4650 involves a few simple steps. The most reliable way is to check directly with Very through their official communication channels.
Methods to confirm the legitimacy of a call:
- Visit Very’s official website and look for customer service contact numbers
- Use trusted phone number lookup services like who-called.co.uk
- Check your recent activity or open orders on your Very account dashboard
- If a voicemail was left, listen carefully for references to your account or order
- Contact customer service directly and ask whether a call was placed
Avoid calling back unfamiliar numbers unless you are confident they are official. Instead, initiate contact with the company through verified phone lines or chat services provided on their website.
What Should You Do If You Suspect a Scam Call from This Number?
Although 0344 822 4650 is a verified Very customer service number, users must stay cautious, particularly if the call content seems suspicious.
If you suspect fraudulent behaviour:
- Politely end the call if the caller seems pushy or demands personal information
- Do not disclose sensitive information such as passwords, security codes or card details
- Report the incident to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime
- Block the number on your device to prevent future calls
- Log in to your Very account to check for any unauthorised transactions or orders
It’s good practice to familiarise yourself with phishing and scam tactics. Legitimate companies rarely request detailed personal or financial information without first verifying your identity through secure, known channels.
Are 0344 Numbers Safe and How Much Do They Cost to Call?
0344 numbers are entirely safe to use and are commonly adopted by legitimate UK organisations for customer service lines. These numbers are not part of the premium rate or revenue-generating number range.
They are typically treated like standard landline calls:
Cost of Calling 0344 822 4650 (Estimated)
| Call Type | Approximate Cost per Minute | Included in Bundled Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| From UK Landline | Up to 9p | Yes |
| From UK Mobile | 3p to 55p (varies by provider) | Usually Yes |
| Pay-as-you-go Mobile | Varies | Sometimes |
Always consult your phone service provider to verify exact charges. Since 0344 numbers are not premium-rate, they are often covered in monthly minute allowances.
In terms of security, there is no risk in answering or dialling a 0344 number unless the interaction turns suspicious due to social engineering or phishing attempts.
Can You Stop Future Calls from 0344 822 4650?
If you prefer not to receive calls from 0344 822 4650, there are several ways to manage or prevent future contact.
Options to stop future calls include:
- Logging in to your Very account and adjusting communication preferences
- Asking the customer service team directly to remove your phone number from outbound contact lists
- Using your smartphone’s call blocking feature to prevent calls from this number
- Installing call screening or blocking apps that detect and prevent calls from frequently reported numbers
- Registering with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), which is a free service designed to reduce marketing calls
While these options do not completely eliminate the chance of receiving calls, they help significantly reduce unsolicited or unnecessary contact. If a legitimate issue requires your attention, you will still be notified through email or your online account.
Conclusion
In most cases, 0344 822 4650 is a legitimate customer service line used by Very. If you’ve recently interacted with the company placed an order, changed account settings, or missed a payment it’s likely they’re reaching out for a valid reason.
That said, in today’s climate of phone scams and data fraud, it’s wise to remain cautious.
Always verify the authenticity of unexpected calls, especially if they involve sensitive data or financial transactions. When in doubt, end the call and contact the company using official channels.
FAQs About 0344 822 4650
What company uses 0344 822 4650 to contact customers?
The number 0344 822 4650 is linked to Very, a UK-based online retail company, commonly used for customer service follow-ups.
Is 0344 822 4650 a premium-rate number?
No, 0344 numbers are not premium-rate. They are charged at standard landline rates and are often included in mobile plans.
Can scammers spoof 0344 822 4650?
Yes, number spoofing is a common scam tactic. Always verify the caller if they ask for sensitive details.
What should I do if I miss a call from 0344 822 4650?
If you’ve missed a call, check your account on Very or call them back using the official customer service number listed on their website.
How do I stop calls from 0344 822 4650?
You can block the number on your device or contact Very directly to request they stop calling you.
Why do I keep receiving silent calls from 0344 822 4650?
Sometimes businesses use automated systems that may disconnect if no agent is available, leading to silent or dropped calls. You can report repeated occurrences.
Are 0344 numbers included in free minutes?
Yes, 0344 numbers are often included in bundled minutes from mobile or landline providers, but always confirm with your provider.
