Advice

When calling an ‘09’ number or texting to cast your vote on a TV show, enter a competition or order products like ringtones, wallpapers and goal alerts, remember…

Always

Keep your eyes open.
Check out the price.
Use the jargon buster to understand.
Have you got enough credit? (If you don’t, it will come out of your next top-up.)
Is your phone compatible? (Will the product you want to buy work on your phone?)
Know what you’re getting. (Is it a subscription service?)
Use your phonebrain to solve problems!

Pricing pitfalls…

Check the price…and double check it!
Be careful if it says ‘FREE’. Sometimes you only get something for free if you buy something else or you only get the first in a series for free. Read the terms and conditions to make sure that ‘FREE’ really means free.
Not 100% certain? Don’t use it!
If you buy something but don’t have enough money for it, the cost will come out of your next top-up so remember what credit you have and what you owe.

Get what you want…

Products like ringtones and games don’t work on all mobiles so, before you buy anything, make sure that the phone and product are ‘compatible’ and will work together. You need to look at the make and the number code. If you have the right make (e.g. Nokia) but the wrong number code then it is not ‘compatible’ and will not work. If you buy the wrong thing, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to take it back or exchange it.

Subscriptions…

You can buy one-off products or subscription services. A one-off product means you pay once and get one product back. Joining a subscription service means you are committed to buying more than one product and you will be charged by reverse-billed SMS. Subscriptions will arrive on a regular basis until you say ‘STOP’.

Text ‘STOP’ back to the number sending the messages to stop getting texts (e.g. text 'STOP' to 87654). Only write 'STOP' - any other word, phrase or characters might not work.

If you subscribe to more than one service from the same short code then text 'STOP ALL' to stop getting all the services.

You can also text 'STOP' to stop receiving marketing/advertising messages.

If they don’t stop, contact ICSTIS, the premium rate services, regulator to report your complaint.

Block premium rate?

You can block premium rate calls but not premium rate texts. Ask your phone company for a premium rate bar. If you have a bar, it means that your phone will not allow you to dial a number which starts '09'.

What to do with SPAM texts or calls?

Never respond to SPAM texts or calls. Companies should not promote themselves in this way. Never give out any personal details and always delete texts or hang up.

You can also text 'STOP' to stop receiving marketing/advertising messages.

Sometimes you will be contacted because you are on a contact list. Make sure you stay off these lists by keeping your phone number private.

Register your details with the Telephone Preference Service. They will ensure your number is taken off marketing (advertising) lists. Follow this link to visit the TPS website: www.tpsonline.org.uk.uk.