It's been reported that people have received calls in which a recorded message tells them they've won a prize and asks them to press 9 on their keypad.

This then connects them to a premium rate number where they are charged anything up to �20 a minute.

But Icstis, which monitors the premium rate sector, says this is impossible.

Suspicious

And it points out that the whole "scam" is nothing more than an urban myth.

It says if you're receiving a call, it can't be transferred to a premium rate line.

Suhail: Just hang up

If you do get a suspicious call, the answer is simply to hang up, says Suhail Bhat of Icstis.

There are some schemes which require you to ring back on premium rate numbers and Icstis will look into any cases which are passed on to it.

It has already taken action in one such case reported by a consumer.

"Icstis investigated and found it to be misleading because it didn't tell them the exact costs involved," says Suhail.

"It was promising them the chance to win �1,000 in cash or a �2,000 holiday but didn't give them the full terms and conditions."

In this case, the company was fined �10,000 and barred for 12 months.

But recorded phone messages are not a big problem for Icstis - it has dealt with only about 40 cases.

Non-existent

By far the biggest issues are faxes and text messages asking people to call back on premium rate numbers to claim what are usually non-existent prizes.

So far this year there have been 19,000 complaints, up by nearly 50% on the 2002 figure.

Icstis can impose fines of up to �50,000 but its powers are restricted - any question of whether a company is acting illegally must be dealt with by the Information Commissioner.

If you have a problem with unwanted messages and calls, you can report them to Icstis on 0800 500 212.

To make sure you don't receive unwanted phone calls, you can register with the Telephone Preference Service - call 0845 070 0707.