If you don't recognise a number on your phone bill

If you’re unsure why your mobile credit has disappeared or you can’t work out why the cost of a call is high, you may have been charged for a premium rate service. The charge may be for a premium rate service you or someone who has access to your phone has called, sent a text to or signed up for. It could also be for a service accessed via the internet or email or through a red button TV service.

Check if it is a premium rate charge

Premium rate numbers begin with 0871, 0872, 0873, 090 or 118. If it’s a premium rate text service the number will be a five or six-digit shortcode and will probably begin with 5, 6, 7 or 8.

Find out about the premium rate charge

Premium rate charges vary depending on your phone network and your price plan. You can check what the charge is for and the cost of the service by contacting:

  • the company that runs the service
  • your phone network

You can enter the number into Number Checker to check if we have the name and contact details for the company running the service.

You should check whether the charge is for a single premium rate service or for a subscription premium rate service. Subscription services charge on a regular basis unless you unsubscribe from the service.

Get a refund for a premium rate charge

The company who runs the service or your phone operator may offer you a refund if:

  • you have been overcharged for the service
  • you have subscribed to a subscription service by mistake
  • someone has used your phone without your permission
  • the call was made by someone under 18

Stop premium rate charges

You can ask your phone network to bar all premium rate calls or texts from being made from your phone.
You can unsubscribe from a SMS/TEXT premium rate service by texting the word STOP to their shortcode number. If you’re receiving two or more services from the same shortcode you should text STOP ALL.

Contact PhonepayPlus for advice

If you would like advice from PhonepayPlus on a premium rate number you can:

  • call our free helpline on 0800 500 212 (open 9pm to 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays)
  • write to PhonepayPlus, Freepost, WC5468, London SE1 2BR