Premium-Rate Competition Entry Scam via SMS
Text-message competitions invite entrants to text a premium-rate number, charging far more per message than disclosed while offering little or no real chance of winning a prize.
Part of: Premium-Rate Competition Entry Scam
Last reviewed: 13 July 2026
SMS is a common channel for premium-rate competition scams because a short code and a catchy prize can generate a large volume of paid text entries with minimal setup cost for the organizer. Ads for these competitions appear on posters, websites, or social media, directing people to text a keyword to a five- or six-digit short code.
How this scam works on SMS
The advertisement promotes an attractive prize — a car, cash, or electronics — and instructs entrants to text a keyword to a premium-rate short code, often disclosing the true per-message cost only in tiny print or not at all. Each text can cost several times the price of a standard message, and the entrant may be enrolled in a recurring subscription of further paid texts unless they explicitly reply to stop.
Because the terms rarely guarantee a fixed odds structure or independently verified draw, the actual chance of winning is often far lower than implied, and some versions never run a genuine draw at all. Complaints about unexpected mobile bill charges are common once entrants realize how much the messages cost in aggregate.
Common red flags
- A competition asks you to text a premium-rate short code without clearly disclosing the per-message cost upfront
- The advertised prize seems disproportionately large compared to a nominal-sounding text fee
- You are automatically enrolled in further paid text messages unless you reply 'STOP'
- Draw terms, odds, or a verifiable draw process are not published anywhere
- The organizer has no verifiable business registration or licensing information
- Your mobile bill shows charges significantly higher than expected after entering
How to protect yourself
- Check the exact per-message cost before texting any premium-rate competition number
- Avoid competitions that do not clearly publish their terms, odds, and licensing details
- Reply 'STOP' immediately if enrolled in recurring premium messages you did not intend to join
- Monitor your mobile bill for unexpected premium-rate charges after entering any text competition
- Prefer competitions run through free-entry routes if the terms offer one, as most legitimate UK-style competitions must
- Report suspicious premium-rate numbers to your mobile carrier or telecoms regulator
How to report it
- Report the short code and charges to your mobile carrier's customer service or fraud team
- Report to your national telecoms or premium-rate services regulator (for example, PhonepayPlus successor bodies in the UK)
- File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or your country's consumer protection agency
Frequently asked questions
Are premium-rate text competitions always illegal?
Not necessarily — many jurisdictions allow premium-rate competitions provided the cost, odds, and terms are clearly disclosed and a genuine draw takes place. The scam version is one where costs are hidden, disclosure is inadequate, or no real prize is ever awarded, which can breach both fraud and telecoms regulations.
Can I get a refund for premium-rate text charges I didn't understand I was paying?
Contact your mobile carrier's billing team to dispute the charges; whether you get money back may depend on the payment method and timing — carriers and premium-rate regulators handle these disputes differently, so contact them directly. Many carriers can also block premium-rate numbers going forward.
How do I stop repeated premium-rate text charges from a competition I entered once?
Reply 'STOP' to the number if that option is offered, and contact your mobile carrier directly to request a block on the specific short code. Keep your bill as evidence if you plan to dispute the charges or report the operator.
Is there always a free way to enter competitions that use premium-rate text as one option?
In several countries, including the UK, legitimate prize competitions with an element of chance are legally required to offer a free entry route as an alternative to a paid text or call. The absence of any free entry method is itself a red flag.
How can I check if a competition's odds and prize are real?
Look for published terms and conditions listing the total number of entries expected, the draw date, and how winners are verified and contacted. Independently search the organizer's name for past complaints or regulatory action before entering.