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Don't Be Fooled
So how does it work?
Scammers sometimes use 090 numbers to con money out of you. Scams include phony prize and holiday offers. They often begin when the scammer sends you a letter, text or telephone message claiming that you have won a major prize and asking you to ring a particular number.
You might be promised a large cash prize or luxury holiday, but you may end with just a cheap giveaway item worth less than the cost of the call or nothing at all, except a huge phone bill.
Examples
1. You've won a top prize - You receive a mailing or unsolicited text or telephone message telling you that you have won a major prize such as cash, a car or luxury holiday, or a 'mystery prize worth at least £1,000'. You are told to call an 090 number to find out what you have won.
2. Parcel delivery - You receive a 'delivery card' asking you to call a premium rate number to rearrange delivery of a parcel waiting for you. You are misled into thinking that you have ordered something or are the beneficiary of something sent by someone you know. What you actually receive is likely to be worth less than the cost of the premium rate call.
3. Rogue premium rate internet dialers - Rogue internet dialers secretly download virus software to transfer dial-up internet connections from low-cost or freephone numbers to expensive 090 premium rate numbers.
How can I avoid being scammed in this way?
• Always remember that premium rate phone numbers attract charges by the minute, usually well above the cost of a local call.
• Don't dial a premium rate number unless you are absolutely sure how much you will be charged.
• Be on your guard if, after dialing one 090 number you hear a message asking you to dial a second 090 number.
• Always read the small print on any promotion.
• Ask for advice - call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
Scammers sometimes use 090 numbers to con money out of you. Scams include phony prize and holiday offers. They often begin when the scammer sends you a letter, text or telephone message claiming that you have won a major prize and asking you to ring a particular number.
You might be promised a large cash prize or luxury holiday, but you may end with just a cheap giveaway item worth less than the cost of the call or nothing at all, except a huge phone bill.
Examples
1. You've won a top prize - You receive a mailing or unsolicited text or telephone message telling you that you have won a major prize such as cash, a car or luxury holiday, or a 'mystery prize worth at least £1,000'. You are told to call an 090 number to find out what you have won.
2. Parcel delivery - You receive a 'delivery card' asking you to call a premium rate number to rearrange delivery of a parcel waiting for you. You are misled into thinking that you have ordered something or are the beneficiary of something sent by someone you know. What you actually receive is likely to be worth less than the cost of the premium rate call.
3. Rogue premium rate internet dialers - Rogue internet dialers secretly download virus software to transfer dial-up internet connections from low-cost or freephone numbers to expensive 090 premium rate numbers.
How can I avoid being scammed in this way?
• Always remember that premium rate phone numbers attract charges by the minute, usually well above the cost of a local call.
• Don't dial a premium rate number unless you are absolutely sure how much you will be charged.
• Be on your guard if, after dialing one 090 number you hear a message asking you to dial a second 090 number.
• Always read the small print on any promotion.
• Ask for advice - call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
