What to do about premium rate numbers

Comreg, last year, setup a new website to deal with premium rate numbers. So if you’re being bothered by these companies tactics and dont know what to do then check out http://www.phonesmart.ie We’re starting to see and hear of people accidentally signing up for these services either via in app ads or with the promise of something free (competitions, free credit etc..) remember there’s nothing for free and try to read the small print before you enter that competition or apply for that free credit. If it’s too good to be true then it probably is.

Phonesmart.ie allows you to look up the company that’s operating the premium rate number you’re getting messages so you can contact them directly if the “unsubscribe” text you sent them hasn’t worked. If you’re still not getting satisfaction from the company you can then make a formal complaint to Comreg and they should be able to sort it out for you. There’s lots of tips and advice on the phonesmart site so check it out and try to educate your children about the pitfalls of these services. Check to see if your phone has options to restrict in app purchases. The iPhone can turn on this restriction (Settings, General, Restrictions). Let us know in the comments section below if you’ve been caught out by premium rate numbers and what you did to remedy the situation