Spam is an unwanted sales message such as a text message to a mobile phone that is sent to many people who have not asked to receive such messages.

Mobile phone users are sent misleading messages telling them they had won an award. To collect the prize – for example a holiday discount voucher with a number of restrictions attached – the 'winner' had to call a premium rate line costing e.g. €1.50 a minute, with each call lasting about four minutes.

Prize draws frequently turn out to be discount vouchers for savings on holidays, flights, gym membership, 2 for 1 meals and accommodation, etc. To use them, the claimant would have to pay that much again as well as the bill for the premium rate telephone service.

In one scam a prize of £1000 is offered by an unsolicited text message asking you to respond to an 09 premium rate number. However there isn't really a prize - or if you're lucky it's just near-worthless vouchers - just an expensive phone call.

The telephone number given to call is usually a premium rate number that can cost €1,50 per minute or more. The recorded message giving details of prizes and how to claim may last up to five minutes or longer.

You might receive an unsolicited text saying that someone fancies you and, to find out who it is, to respond to a premium rate number. But it's just a way to get you to spend money and no-one fancies you.