- The approach, whether in writing, by phone or email, is unsolicited.
- There is a very short time in which to respond to claim a prize.
- It is an invitation to send a "processing" or "management" fee to claim a prize.
- It is an invitation to purchase goods to obtain a prize or reward.
- It is an invitation to use premium phone lines.
- The source of the promotion is based overseas.
- It is in invitation to send money out of the country, particularly to the Netherlands or Canada.
- Prizes are expressed in foreign currency.
- It is an invitation to provide credit card or bank account details.
- Rewards are wholly dependant on persuading others to join a scheme.
- Premium rate services generally begin with the numbers 090.
- Premium reverse bill text messages usually contain a 4 or 5 digit short code number to reply to.
- Call-barring arrangements for premium rate services are available from most telephone companies if you do feel a need to control household access to such services.
- You can register with the Fax Preference Service to stop receiving unwanted commercial faxes.
- You can register with the Telephone Preference Service if you want to stop receiving unsolicited SMS and telephone marketing messages.
- All premium rate services should advise you of the price before you access them.
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