Scam of the week

WHAT ARE PREMIUM RATE TEXTS? Text messages that are typically for subscription services such as games or weather updates. They cost about £1.50 but it’s not always obvious that you will be paying until you get a big phone bill. I HAVEN’T SUBSCRIBED TO ANY SERVICE BUT HAVE BEEN CHARGED Many people subscribe to premium rate text messages inadvertently, usually by ticking or failing to untick a box on a website, replying to a message or entering a competition. PROTECT YOURSELF Read the small print if you sign up for a competition, provide your number online or download something to your phone. RESOLUTION Your mobile provider will not help. Try the Phone-paid Services Authority website, psauthority.org.uk, which contains lots of useful advice.