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Warnings about Premium Rate Call Scams

Poole's Environmental & Consumer Protection team are warning people not to fall for a scam which has so far fooled numerous people across the country. The scam involves people being notified that if they phone a premium rate telephone number they will receive a digital camera.

Lucy Magill, Regulatory Services Manager, Environmental & Consumer Protection Services, Borough of Poole, said: "Local residents are getting fed up with receiving letters, phone calls, emails and texts telling them they have won a prize, or that a package awaits collection, when the recipient knows full well that they have not had previous dealings with the trader. 

"The latest correspondence in the form of a large postcard is enticing recipients to dial a premium rate telephone number in order to receive a digital camera.  If you do make this call you will be paying £1.50 per minute and it is likely that the cost of the call will more than pay for the goods in question.   

"In the past our Consumer Advisers have been being inundated with disappointed 'winners' who when they have tried to claim a prize, have found out that they either have to pay an administration fee, or are asked to phone a premium rate telephone number.  The cost can be anything from £5 to a sum into double figures.  In the majority of cases there is no evidence that prizes will be received even after the given instructions have been followed, or that the value of the goods will exceed the amount already paid."

If you have received an offer which you think is misleading that asks you to phone a premium rate telephone number, complain direct to ICSTIS (The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services) on the freephone number 0800 500 212 or write to them at ICSTIS, FREEPOST, WC5468, London, WC1V 7BR.  You can also visit their website at:  www.icstis.org.uk

If you have received a prize notification asking you for an administration fee before you may receive the prize, be aware that if you send any money you take a great risk of losing it and not receiving a prize.   The best advice is to shred mail like this and keep your money in your pocket.

If further advice is needed contact Consumer Direct South West on Tel:  08454 040506 or Poole's Environmental & Consumer Protection service on 01202 261700.

Lucy Magill, Regulatory Services Manager, Environmental & Consumer Protection, tel 01202 261700