But according to Optus she has. 

Mrs Holle got a bit of a shock when she picked up her first phone bill shortly after moving to Gobbagombalin, discovering she had been charged a national rate just for calling local friends or the fish and chip shop. 

The bad news escalated when she found out her friends were getting charged the same rates when making contact with her. 

Mrs Holle was concerned when she was allocated a landline starting with 4020 but didn't investigate until a friend told her about some unexpected, exuberant charges to her number. 

“People did look at me strangely when I went to give my phone number but I thought maybe being a new area they’d run out of numbers,” Mrs Holle said. 

An Optus customer, Mrs Holle said the company informed her an exchange was unavailable in the area, meaning her phone was connected via a Gosford exchange, more than 500 kilometres away. 

While disappointed with the service, Mrs Holle has alleviated her problem by paying an extra $10 a month to receive free national calls. 

Yet her concern remains for family and friends wanting to get in touch. 

“It’s more embarrassing than anything, I’m getting to the point where I need to tell people not to call,” Mrs Holle said. 

“We need the home phone for the kids and that payment covers it but it doesn’t help people ringing us. 

“I wish I knew whether anyone else was in the same boat.” 

Friends within the Riverina are being charged around $2 for a call to Ms Holle, leaving them forking out for unnecessary charges. 

“I’m hoping it’s an isolated problem because this could affect everyone,” Mrs Holle said. 

“Perhaps geographically they’ve got it wrong but now that I know I do think twice.” 

The phone was connected in May but the family settled into the house in early June. 

Mrs Holle has been left searching for answers, concerned whether other new residents have been affected.

“I shouldn’t have to but I’ve dealt with it on my end so it can at least help the bigger bills,” Mrs Holle said.

“It’s not a win win but it’s at least a solution for us.” 

Optus has been contacted for comment.