How to avoid premium rate scams How to prevent

Register with the TPS to siphon off unwanted cold callers

If you want to prevent premium rate calls being made from your phone altogether, speak to your phone company about their ‘call barring’ options.

Keep an eye on your phone bill and contact your phone company if there are charges you don't recognise.

Don't dial a premium rate 090 number unless you are absolutely sure how much you will be charged and you are willing to pay for it.

Terms and conditions

Always read the terms and conditions in any promotional advert. Once you've seen how a service works and what it will cost, then make up your mind about taking part.

Be wary of ‘free’ offers or fabulous prizes. Premium rate watchdog Icstis says that if something looks ‘too good to be true’, it probably will be.

Never respond to unsolicited adverts – such as spam text messages. Legitimate companies do not promote their services this way.

Unwanted calls

To stop receiving many unwanted calls, register your phone numbers with the Telephone Preference Service (0845 0700707).

If you're signed up to a subscription service on your mobile but want to quit, simply send the word ‘STOP’ to the service number.