"Beware of text messages with promises to win or a call to action! Because it is precisely messages like these that repeatedly lead to unexpected costs on your mobile phone bill. If you reply carelessly or contact a specified number, you can quickly fall into an expensive trap. We explain below which types of text messages are particularly risky and how you can protect yourself against them."
"Not every text message is for information purposes. In particular, messages with alleged prizes, vouchers, or urgent instructions often have a clear aim: to trigger a quick response. A short reply or a callback is often enough to trigger costs. Formulations that create time pressure or suggest urgency are typical. Examples include messages such as "Last chance to confirm," "Your prize expires today," "Please reply immediately," or "Act now to avoid costs.""
Unsolicited text messages promising prizes, vouchers, or urgent instructions often aim to provoke rapid responses that incur charges. A brief reply, callback, or a call to a specified number can connect to special or premium-rate services and generate costs that appear later on the mobile phone bill. Time-pressure phrases like 'Last chance to confirm' or 'Please reply immediately' are used to discourage verification. Travel vouchers and apparent brand-associated wins are common lures. Numbers with dialing codes 0900, 0137, and 0180 frequently carry high per-minute fees. Many victims only notice charges when the bill arrives.
Read at PCWorld
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