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How the scams work

More and more mobile networks are offering reverse charge SMS services that let a user be charged up to several pounds for incoming SMS messages. The idea is to let their users make very small payments, called micro payments, for services with their mobile quickly and easily. To authenticate the system, and before a charged message can be sent, a certain message must be sent to a network 'short code', a telephone number consisting of just 4 digits which can only be accessed on that particular network. The con artists will do anything to get you to send a message to this number, including sending sexy messages that pretend to be from a girlfriend, or urgent messages claiming that a loved one is sick. They play on the same human weaknesses that made the Melissa and Love Bug viruses so successful. As soon as you have sent the authentication to them they are free to send you as many messages as they like, costing over a pound each.

Of course as soon as a network has proof that such a scam is operating they close it down, but in the meantime many innocent users have been duped out of money, and whilst the problem is bad for pay as you go users, who may loose al the credit on their phone, for contract users with no spending limits in place the problem can be horrendous.

Again there is no way to stop getting these scam messages without blocking all SMS messages coming to your phone, or moving to a network with no reverse charge system in place. If neither of these ideas seems attractive to you then be careful to check the number that the message came from before hitting reply on your handset.

Never reply to text messages from people you don’t know because the message could be SMS spam, a phone virus or it could be from a predator or bully who has obtained your number from someone else or has "guessed" your number. Some SMS spam messages involve responding to a number that, when called, charges the users account extortionate amounts. Instead, block the caller, which prevents them from being able to call or send messages to your phone.

If someone approaches you in the street and asks to use your phone (even if they say it is an emergency) direct them to the nearest public phone or, in the case of an obvious emergency, dial 911 (or whatever your regional emergency number is) for them. Do not allow the to use your phone because they may either be trying to steal your phone or, they may be a scammer who uses your phone to dial a premium rate number that charges your phone account. They profit from the call and you are left with a hefty bill.

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