WILTSHIRE police have warned residents and business people to beware of conmen using premium-rate 0900 phone numbers to fleece them of hundreds of pounds.

Det Insp Paul Ginger of the Fraud Squad said a whole host of scams have been highlighted after officers followed up complaints from victims.

He said: "If a mobile phone user receives a text message with details of a big cash prize and the reply number given is a premium-rate number starting with 0906 they are advised to delete the message immediately and ensure their phone does not reply to it. Otherwise those who use pay-as-you-go phones will find their money very quickly spent."

Det Insp Ginger said another scam was when a hotel is phoned and asked to fax details of accommodation, conference facilities back to the premium-rate number.

He added: "Due to the length of time that the call takes, this can result in a very hefty bill.

"Bed and breakfast establishments are contacted by a company from a foreign country in the Far East who state that they have a number of nationals who want to visit the UK.

"The company asks for details of accommodation, directions, available dates, tariffs etc to be faxed to an international premium-rate number which starts with 00882.

"To date more than 50 bed and breakfast establishments in the South West have fallen prey to this."

He also warned that some premium rate numbers which had been specially set up were netting up to £50 a minute from the unsuspecting public.

"Everyone is asked to be very aware of the use of premium rate numbers and to whom they are making contact," he said.

"If in any doubt as to whether a number is premium rate, BT will be able to advise you."