Premium-rate texts on your phone bill: how to stop them and get a refund
Checked by TextCheckUK · Last checked · How we check
Premium-rate text charges are payments for a service billed to your phone. On your bill they show as a short code, usually five or six digits starting with 5, 6, 7 or 8, or as a charge labelled Charge-to-mobile, Operator Billing, Direct Carrier Billing or Google Play. Ofcom's advice: text STOP ALL to the number the service gave you (not a reply), because blocking the number doesn't stop the charges; then ask the provider for a refund, and your mobile network if it refuses. Ofcom regulates these services but can't get you a refund.
What a premium-rate text charge is
Ofcom calls everything charged to a phone bill a premium rate service: content, goods or services you pay for through your phone bill or pay-as-you-go credit, such as charity donations by text, text competitions, games, TV voting and subscriptions. Its rules say you shouldn't be charged for one without your consent, and that the cost and how the service works must be clear.
Ofcom has regulated these services since 31 January 2025, when it took over from the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA). Older advice that sends you to the PSA is out of date. The ICO, which deals with spam texts, says it can't help with texts you're charged for and points to Ofcom.
How to spot one on your bill
| On your bill | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A short code: usually five or six digits, starting with 5, 6, 7 or 8 | A text service charged to your bill. Texts from that number usually give the provider's contact details. | Look for its texts, then text STOP ALL to the number they give. |
| Charge-to-mobile, Operator Billing, Direct Carrier Billing or Google Play | A way of paying, not the name of the company that charged you. | Ask your mobile network who charged you. |
| Calls to numbers starting 09, 087, 118 or some 084 | Premium-rate or service-charge calls. | See 09 and 084 and 087 numbers. |
Written by us; not a real message. [SHORT CODE], [service], [price], [number] and [contact] stand in for details we leave out.
1. A charge on your phone bill
Ofcom says firms that charge your phone bill must tell you about the charges, and the receipts can be texts that your phone doesn't flag as spam. Don't block or delete them before you know who is charging you.
“Receipts can take the form of SMS messages - these are not always flagged as spam.” (Ofcom, barring premium-rate services, checked 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 14 November 2025)
2. STOP ALL, to the number given
Ofcom says to text STOP ALL to the number the service gives you, rather than pressing reply, because it may not be the number the text came from.
“Please note, this may not be the same number as the number the message came from.” (Ofcom, blocking and premium-rate charges, checked 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 14 November 2025)
Stop the charges: text STOP ALL
Ofcom says you can stop the charges by texting STOP ALL to the number the provider gives you. Don't just press reply: the number to text may not be the one the message came from. Short codes are explained in UK short codes.
Don't rely on blocking. Ofcom says that if you block the number you will still be charged if the texts are for a premium rate service, and you may stop getting the texts that tell you about the charges.
Block, STOP ALL or a premium-rate bar: what each one does
| What you do | Stops the charges? | What else happens |
|---|---|---|
| Block the number | No. Ofcom says you are still charged | You may stop getting the texts that tell you about the charges |
| Text STOP ALL to the number the service gives | Yes, this is how Ofcom says to stop them | That service ends; keep its texts as a record |
| Ask your network to block premium rate services | Blocks them on your account, if your network offers it | It also blocks things you may want, such as in-app purchases, TV voting and donating to charity by text |
Getting a refund
Who to ask for a refund, in order
Find out who charged you
Your bill may name the provider, or show only a short code. Your mobile network can tell you which company is behind it and how to contact it; Ofcom's premium rate service checker can help too.
(Ofcom, stopping premium-rate charges, checked 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 14 November 2025)
Ask the provider for a refund
The provider handles complaints and refunds. If it refuses, ask for proof of purchase, message logs and the adverts it says you responded to.
(Ofcom, premium-rate bills and refunds, checked 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 14 November 2025)
Then ask your mobile network
Still unhappy after speaking to the provider? Ofcom says your mobile network may be able to look into it for you.
(Ofcom, premium-rate bills and refunds, checked 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 14 November 2025)
Get advice, and tell Ofcom
Citizens Advice gives free advice. Ofcom can't get you a refund, but you can report a service that broke its rules, which it uses for enforcement.
“As the regulator, we haven't been given the powers by Parliament to mediate in individual cases.” (Ofcom, premium-rate bills and refunds, checked 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 14 November 2025)
From Ofcom's ‘Stopping premium rate charges’ (Ofcom copyright). Drawn by us. Unexpected charge? Ofcom's premium rate service checker shows who to contact.
A premium-rate subscription or a scam text?
They are different problems. A premium-rate subscription is a charge on your bill from a service, which STOP ALL and the steps above deal with. A scam text wants you to tap a link, pay a fee or call back: for those, don't reply, forward the text to 7726 and block the sender (how to block spam texts). Never call back an 09 number you don't recognise.
Texting STOP ALL to a premium-rate service is one of the few times you should text a sender back: when to reply STOP, and when not to. Not sure what a text is? Paste it into the scam text checker.
Sources
- Ofcom, what premium-rate services are: Ofcom, 'Quick guide to premium rate services (PRS)' (published 31 January 2025, last updated 23 June 2025; checked on 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 26 February 2026, as the live site blocks automated access): "Premium rate services are the name given to all content, goods, or services charged to a phone bill. ... Mobile text shortcode numbers – five- and six-digit numbers – can also be premium rate services that you may use to enter text competitions, give to charity via your mobile, download mobile games, etc." Ofcom copyright. — https://www.ofcom.org.uk/make-a-complaint/complain-about-premium-rate-services/quick-guide-to-premium-rate-services-prs, read on 2026-10-02
- Ofcom, stopping premium-rate charges: Ofcom, 'Stopping premium rate charges' (published 31 January 2025, last updated 23 June 2025; checked on 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 14 November 2025, as the live site blocks automated access): "If you don’t know who charged you or how to contact the PRS provider, then you can ask your mobile network, they are able to help you. ... mobile text short codes, which are usually five or six digits long and start with a 5, 6, 7 or 8. ... Yes, you can text the PRS provider to stop the charges. Instead of using the “reply” function on the SMS, text 'STOP ALL' to the number which they give you." Ofcom copyright. — https://www.ofcom.org.uk/make-a-complaint/complain-about-premium-rate-services/stopping-premium-rate-charges, read on 2026-10-02
- Ofcom, premium-rate bills and refunds: Ofcom, 'Stopping premium rate charges' (published 31 January 2025, last updated 23 June 2025; checked on 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 14 November 2025, as the live site blocks automated access): "charges might be listed as Charge-to-mobile, Operator Billing, Direct Carrier Billing or Google Play on your bill. These are just payment mechanisms, they are not names of the PRS provider. ... Our rules require that you should not be charged for any premium rate service without your consent. ... If you believe you have been charged for a premium rate service and are entitled to a refund, talk to the PRS provider who charged you in the first instance to request a refund. ... If after speaking to the PRS provider you’re still unhappy with the outcome, you may wish to speak to your mobile network provider who may be able to look into this for you. ... As the regulator, we haven't been given the powers by Parliament to mediate in individual cases. Therefore, we won’t be able to help you get a refund." Ofcom copyright. — https://www.ofcom.org.uk/make-a-complaint/complain-about-premium-rate-services/stopping-premium-rate-charges, read on 2026-10-02
- Ofcom, blocking and premium-rate charges: Ofcom, 'Top tips to stay in control of your phone charges' (published 31 January 2025, last updated 23 June 2025; checked on 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 14 November 2025, as the live site blocks automated access): "You can text the company to stop the charges; you can text 'STOP ALL' to the number which they have given you in the text message. Please note, this may not be the same number as the number the message came from. If you’re getting several texts from the same number, you may assume it’s spam. If you block the number, you will still be charged if the texts are for a premium rate service. Blocking the texts do not stop the charges but may mean that you won’t get any information about them." Ofcom copyright. — https://www.ofcom.org.uk/make-a-complaint/complain-about-premium-rate-services/top-tips-to-stay-in-control-of-your-phone-charges, read on 2026-10-02
- Ofcom, barring premium-rate services: Ofcom, 'Top tips to stay in control of your phone charges' (published 31 January 2025, last updated 23 June 2025; checked on 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 14 November 2025, as the live site blocks automated access): "Receipts can take the form of SMS messages - these are not always flagged as spam. ... Some mobile networks are able to block premium rate services on your account. This might prevent you from using services that you do want, such as in-app purchases, voting on TV talent shows, or donating to charity by text." Ofcom copyright. — https://www.ofcom.org.uk/make-a-complaint/complain-about-premium-rate-services/top-tips-to-stay-in-control-of-your-phone-charges, read on 2026-10-02
- Ofcom news, premium-rate regulation (31 Jan 2025): Ofcom, 'Ofcom takes on responsibility for regulating premium-rate services', news published 31 January 2025 (checked on 2 October 2026 against the Internet Archive copy of 7 December 2025, as the live site blocks automated access): "Ofcom has formally adopted responsibility for regulating premium-rate services (PRS), which were previously regulated by the Phone-Paid Services Authority (PSA)." Ofcom copyright. — https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/mobile-phones/ofcom-takes-on-responsibility-for-regulating-premium-rate-services, read on 2026-10-02
- ICO, texts you are charged for: ICO, 'I keep receiving marketing text messages (spam), but I want them to stop', 'What can I do if I’m being charged for receiving text messages?': "If you’re receiving text messages that you’re being charged for, you can contact Ofcom. They are the regulator for contents, goods and services charged to your phone bill. The ICO can’t assist with this type of text message." Information Commission's Office, 'I keep receiving marketing text messages (spam), but I want them to stop', page read 2 October 2026, licensed under the Open Government Licence. — https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/texts/, read on 2026-10-02
- NCSC, forwarding to 7726: NCSC, Report a scam text: "Most phone providers are part of a scheme that allows customers to report suspicious text messages for free by forwarding it to 7726. If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender, if it's found to be malicious." — https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-text-message, read on 2026-09-29
Quotes from GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk, mygov.scot, the NCSC, the ICO and NHS England are used under the Open Government Licence v3.0; material from Ofcom is Ofcom copyright. Other pages are summarised in our own words or quoted briefly, with a link. How we check.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I stop premium text charges?
- Text STOP ALL to the number the service gave you in its text message. Ofcom notes this may not be the number the message came from, so don't just press reply.
- Will blocking the number stop the charges?
- No. Ofcom says that if you block the number you will still be charged if the texts are for a premium rate service, and you may stop getting information about the charges.
- How do I find out who is charging me?
- Look for texts from the short code, which usually give the provider's details. If you can't tell, ask your mobile network: Ofcom says it can tell you who provides the service and how to contact them.
- Can I get a refund for premium-rate texts?
- Ask the provider first. If it refuses, ask your mobile network, which may be able to look into it. Ofcom says it has no power to mediate in individual cases, so it can't get you a refund.
- Who regulates premium-rate texts now?
- Ofcom, since 31 January 2025, when it took over from the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA).
More guides
- Why do I keep getting loan texts, and how do I stop them?
The UK rules on marketing texts, what the ICO fined a loan-text firm for in 2026, and the steps that make the texts stop: don't reply, 7726, ICO.
- Loan offers that ask for a fee first: loan fee fraud
How loan fee fraud works (£25-£450 upfront, per the FCA), how a genuine broker's fee must be disclosed, and how to check a firm with the FCA.
- Do bailiffs send text messages? Real enforcement texts vs fake bailiff threats (2026 rules)
Bailiffs can give notice by text. In England and Wales it must come 14 clear days ahead since 1 May 2026, with fixed fees. How to spot a fake bailiff text.
- Parking fine scam texts: the fake RingGo messages
Texts about an 'outstanding parking payment' with a link: RingGo warns of a wave of fakes in its name. How to tell, how real fines arrive, what to do.
Last updated 2026-10-02. Independent information service. Number data from Ofcom shows the original range holder; numbers can be ported or spoofed. Not affiliated with any organisation named on this page, including Ofcom, the FCA, the ICO, the NHS, DWP, HMRC, TV Licensing, Apple, Google or any police service.