Mobile phone fraud involves a variety of scams that either persuade you to buy phone-related products/services that turn out to be substandard or non-existent; or to make phone calls or texts to premium services by accident; or to unknowingly sign up to expensive subscription services.

More about mobile phone fraud

There are a variety of frauds that target you on your mobile. Here are some of the most common:

Missed call scams 
Your phone registers a missed call. You don’t recognise the number so you call it back. Most of the time the call will be perfectly above board, but you may be redirected to a premium rate service which can cost up to £15 per call.

Recorded message scams
The number you’re asked to call back may be a recorded message telling you that you’ve won a prize, and giving you another number to call to ‘claim’ it. But this second number may be a premium rate one. Also, your prize may be nothing more than a ring tone subscription - which can also be a fraud.

Text message scams
You’re sent a text from a number you don’t recognise, but it’ll be worded as if it’s from a friend. For instance: ‘Hi, it’s John. I’m back! When do you want to catch up?’ So you call it back, thinking you’re doing them a favour by telling them they’ve got the wrong person, only to be charged a fortune for a premium rate call. Or you may text back and end up engaging in a lengthy SMS exchange. You find out that you’ve been charged a high rate for your texts (and sometimes for your received texts as well).

Ring tone scams
These scams might attract you with an offer of a ‘free’ or low cost ring tone. By accepting the offer, you’re actually subscribing to a service that will keep sending you ring tones – and charging you a premium rate for them. There are many legitimate companies selling ring tones, but there are also fraudsters who will try to hide the true cost of taking up their offer.

Text competition and trivia scams
You may receive a text message or advert encouraging you to enter a competition for a great prize (like an mp3 player). The fraudsters make money by charging extremely high rates for the messages you send, and any further messages they send to you. These could be as high as £2 per text.

With trivia scams, the first few questions will be very easy. This is meant to encourage you to keep playing. However, the last one or two questions you need to answer in order to claim your ‘prize’ could be very difficult or even impossible.

If you get as far as trying to claim your prize, you may well have to call a premium number (that begins with 0906 for example). You’ll then have to listen to a long recorded message and there’s unlikely to be a prize at the end of it.

Phone insurance scams
If you’ve bought a new mobile phone, a fraudster may call you to sell you phone insurance, making out that they are calling from the shop where you bought it from, or from your mobile phone network. At best, you end up with poor quality phone insurance or, at worst, none at all.

Are you a victim of mobile phone fraud?

• You replied to a missed call and were directed to a premium rate service.
• You responded to a missed call telling you that you’ve won a prize.
• You replied to a text from someone you don’t know and were charged a fortune for the messages.
• You accepted an offer of a ‘free’ ring tone.
• You replied to a text message inviting you to enter a competition.
• You bought phone insurance from someone who called your mobile number.

What should you do if you’ve been a victim of mobile phone fraud?

• Tell your mobile phone provider. They won’t be able to refund your money, but they can investigate and inform others.
• Inform PhonepayPlus (www.phonepayplus.org.uk), which regulates premium numbers and has statutory powers to stop mobile phone frauds and fine the offenders.
• If you text the word STOP to the subscription number, the sender is legally obliged to stop sending text messages immediately. If they don’t, contact PhonepayPlus (www.phonepayplus.org.uk), which investigates complaints about phone-paid services.

Protect yourself against mobile phone fraud

• Don’t respond to unknown numbers.
• If you get a text message from someone you don't know, don't reply. If it’s important, they will contact you again.
• If you receive a text message offering you a prize, delete it without replying. Remember, you can’t win a prize if you haven’t entered a competition.
• Don't reply to any number with a 090 or 0709 prefix. They are premium-rate lines.
• If you respond to a missed call, hang up at the very first indication your call is being redirected. For example, when a recorded voice says: "I'll put you through", or something similar. Also, be aware that fraudsters often use a recording of what sounds like a ringing tone to keep you on the line for longer.
• If you call a number back and get a recorded message informing you that you’ve won a prize, hang up immediately.
• Don't subscribe to anything that you suspect involves reverse texting. Investigate before you do anything.
• If you want to buy ringtones or phone insurance, contact the providers directly.
• Check with your mobile phone provider how much it costs to call or text phone-paid/premium rate services from your phone. Currently, these services cost between 10 pence to £1.50 per minute for calls or text messages. Please note that your phone provider (landline, cable or mobile) may also add an additional charge in addition to the advertised rate. Any additional charge will vary depending on your phone provider.
• There are many companies that use premium numbers legitimately. However, they should always make it clear that they are using premium numbers and you should check their small print before signing up to anything.