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Numbers and charges

Premium rate numbers and short codes

Edited by Richard BarkerChecked 13 October 2026

To find out who is behind a premium rate number or text short code, enter it in Ofcom’s free premium rate service checker. To stop a text service charging you, send STOP ALL to the number the provider gave you. Ofcom has regulated these services since 1 February 2025.

What counts as premium rate

Ofcom calls anything charged to your phone bill or pay as you go credit a premium rate service. That includes TV votes, charity donations, competitions, games and subscriptions.

  • Premium rate numbers generally start 09, 118, 087 and some 084, Ofcom says.
  • Text short codes are five or six digits long and are used for text competitions, charity texts and game downloads. Charity text short codes start 70.
  • Mobile voice short codes, used for TV voting and chat lines, can be premium rate too.

What they cost

From Ofcom’s call costs guide and numbering plan. The access charge part goes to your own phone company, so check its price list.

Cost of calling UK premium rate and business rate numbers
Starts withWhat it costs
09Premium rateA call to an 09 number has two parts: an access charge that goes to your phone company, and a service charge set by the organisation you are calling. Ofcom says the service charge can be from 1p to £3.60 a minute, and there may be a one-off charge of up to £6 a call. The service charge must be shown wherever the number is advertised. You can ask your provider to bar calls to 09 numbers.
118Directory enquiriesA call to a 118 number has two parts: an access charge that goes to your phone company, and a service charge set by the directory enquiry company. Since 1 April 2019 the service charge has been capped at £3.65 per 90 seconds of a call. The service charge must be shown wherever the number is advertised.
0870 to 0873Business rateA call to an 0870, 0871, 0872 or 0873 number has two parts: an access charge that goes to your phone company, and a service charge set by the organisation you are calling. Ofcom says the service charge is between 0p and 13p a minute and must be shown wherever the number is advertised. The access charge depends on your provider.
0843 to 0845Business rateA call to an 0843, 0844 or 0845 number has two parts: an access charge that goes to your phone company, and a service charge set by the organisation you are calling. Ofcom says the service charge is between 0p and 7p a minute and must be shown wherever the number is advertised. The access charge depends on your provider.
070Personal numbersNumbers starting 070 are personal numbers, not mobile numbers, and calls to them can cost more. Ofcom says some providers include 070 numbers in call allowances but some do not, so check with your provider before you call.

Full prices for every number type are on our call costs page.

Check a premium rate number or short code

Ofcom’s checker is free. We link to it rather than copy it, so you always see Ofcom’s current details.

  1. Find the number

    Look on your phone bill or in the text the service sent you. Ofcom says text short codes are usually five or six digits and start with 5, 6, 7 or 8.

  2. Enter it in Ofcom’s checker

    Ofcom’s premium rate service checker shows any name and contact details it holds for the provider. If you already know the provider’s name, you can search Ofcom’s register instead.

  3. Ask your network if nothing comes up

    Ofcom says your mobile or landline provider can tell you who a number on your bill belongs to and how to contact them.

Open Ofcom’s premium rate service checker (opens in a new tab)

Short codes

Short numbers that you text or call. Some are free public services; others charge you.

A charge from a text short code usually shows on your bill as a five or six digit number starting 5, 6, 7 or 8. Ofcom says texts from these services often include the provider’s contact details. Your bill may instead show a label such as Charge-to-mobile, Operator Billing, Direct Carrier Billing or Google Play. These are ways of paying, not the provider’s name, so ask your network who it is.

Two short codes help you deal with scams, and neither is a premium rate service:

  • 7726: forward a scam text, or text a scam caller’s number, to your mobile network. The National Cyber Security Centre says it is free.
  • 159: connects you to your bank if a call about your money worries you.

Stop the charges

Steps from Ofcom’s guidance on stopping premium rate charges.

  1. Text STOP ALL to the provider

    Ofcom says not to use the reply button on the text. Instead, send STOP ALL to the number the provider gave you.

  2. Contact the provider

    The provider should explain the charges, tell you what service you used and when, and stop charges you do not want. Ask them for a refund if you were charged unexpectedly.

  3. Go to your network if that fails

    If the provider refuses, ask them for proof of purchase and message logs. If you are still unhappy, your mobile network may look into it.

Ofcom says you should not be charged for a premium rate service without agreeing to it. You can also ask your phone provider to bar calls to 09 numbers.

Complain about a premium rate service

  • Complain to the provider first. They should tell you how their complaints process works.
  • If it is still not sorted, Citizens Advice gives free advice.
  • Report a service that broke the rules to Ofcom, using its premium rate complaints page (opens in a new tab), or by calling 0300 123 3333 or 020 7981 3040 (0300 123 2023 in Welsh). Ofcom does not resolve single complaints, but uses them to decide where to act.

Questions

Is the Phone-paid Services Authority still running?

No. Ofcom took on day-to-day regulation of phone-paid services from the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) when the Premium Rate Services Order came into force on 1 February 2025. Sites that still point to a PSA number checker are out of date.

Can Ofcom get my money back?

No. Ofcom says Parliament has not given it the power to deal with individual cases or get refunds. Ask the provider first, then your network. Citizens Advice can help if you are still stuck.

How do I find out who charged me?

Enter the number from your bill or the text into Ofcom’s premium rate service checker. If it shows nothing, ask your mobile or landline provider who the number belongs to.

What do labels like Charge-to-mobile or Direct Carrier Billing mean?

Ofcom says labels such as Charge-to-mobile, Operator Billing, Direct Carrier Billing and Google Play are ways of paying, not the name of the provider. Ask your network who the provider is.

Can I stop calls to 09 numbers from my phone?

Yes. You can ask your phone provider to bar calls to 09 numbers.

Sources and checks

This page relies on:

Checked on 13 October 2026. Read how reports work. How we check our information. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will put it right.