Paid more than you expected for a ringtone?

Didn't get what you asked for? Stuck in a subscription you don't want? You can do loads of brilliant stuff with your mobile, but to make sure you spend what you want and get what you want, use your PhoneBrain.

Remember, if you do any of these things, it will almost always cost you money!

•  Call a number starting '09'
•  Text a 'keyword' (like the name of a celeb) to a mobile shortcode to cast your vote on a TV show
•  Enter a competition by phone or text
•  Order products like ringtones, wallpapers and goal alerts on your mobile

These are called phone-paid services and will cost you between 10p and £1.50 per minute/call/text (plus any network charges). Sometimes you may be charged through a number of text messages (for example, a ringtone costing £3 might be charged to you through two messages costing £1.50 each).

Most of these services are run responsibly, so you shouldn't have a bad experience. But just make sure you read the small print at the bottom of the screen or page, or listen to the person asking you to find out exactly what you’re going to be paying before you use your phone'.

Use your PhoneBrain before you buy

•  Keep your eyes open (check out all of the small print)
•  Make sure you've got enough credit (if not, it'll come out of your next top-up)
•  Make sure your phone's compatible (so the product will work on it)
•  Know exactly what you're getting (is it a single product or a subscription service?) and how much it costs (is it a one-off payment or a weekly charge?)

Not 100% sure?

If you don't know the price, or are not sure whether you want it, don't buy. Phone companies know what numbers you've dialled and what texts you've sent. So if you agree to get the service, you'll have to pay the bill!

Want to check a number?

If you're not sure how much something is going to cost you, or have a question about a number on your bill, use our free Number Checker service to find out the cost, the name of company that provides the number and how you can contact them. Make a note of the number and then get in touch with us:

•  Online at www.phonepayplus.org.uk
•  At home by calling 0800 500 212 (Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm) and speaking to an advisor

We can reassure you that a service or a charge on your bill is all above board – and maybe even stop you from making an expensive mistake!

Cracking the code – how to spot a phone-paid service

It should be easy to spot a phone-paid service. Most use a dialling code beginning with 09.

If it's a text message, it'll ask you to send a special keyword to a five- or six-digit 'shortcode' number (for example, 'VOTE' to 11111).

Services offering adult entertainment must only be advertised on special, dedicated dialling codes and shortcodes. These services are only accessible on phones that have been registered to an adult to stop young people from accessing them.

Directory enquiry services (which offer you contact details for businesses) are advertised on six-digit numbers beginning 118.

Numbers beginning with 0871, 0872 and 0873 are used for things like ticket booking lines, customer service helplines and travel companies. These cost between 5p and 10p per minute from a BT landline but will probably cost more from mobiles and other networks.

Got a complaint?

If you have a complaint about a phone-paid product or service, come to us. We'll listen to both sides of the story, look at the facts and make a decision. If we think our rules have been broken, we can fine the company responsible, order it to give you a refund, bar access to its services and even stop the person running the company from running other services under a different company name. Our investigation service is completely independent and free of charge.