WILTSHIRE police have warned residents and business people to beware of con merchants using premium-rate phone numbers to fleece them of hundreds of pounds.

Various different scams have come to the notice of the Wiltshire fraud squad and Detective Inspector Paul Ginger has issued warnings against some of them.

One of the most popular is when a mobile phone user receives a text message with details of a big cash prize and is given a premium-rate 0906 number to call.

DI Ginger said: "Unless the recipient is sure of the origin of this call, they are advised to delete the message immediately and ensure their phone does not reply to it as it will cost them a lot of money."

Another popular scam is when a hotel is phoned and asked to fax details of accommodation and facilities back to the premium-rate number.

DI Ginger said: "The number receiving the fax has no intention of ever using the facilities and receives a percentage of the costs of the call. This number also starts with 0906."

Bed and breakfast establishments are also being targeted by a company in the Far East who state they have a number of nationals who want to visit the UK.

The company asks for various details to be faxed to an international premium-rate number which starts with 00882.

So far over 50 bed and breakfast establishments in the South West have fallen for this scam which results in a very high phone bill. There are plenty of similar scams going on all over the country and so Wiltshire police have advised people to be on their guard.

DI Ginger said: "The public are asked to be very aware of the use of premium rate numbers and to whom they are making contact.

"If you are in any doubt as to whether or not a number is premium rate, BT will be able to advise you."