A TELEPHONE watchdog is investigating a text message prize draw "scam", following complaints from a York councillor.

The probe by independent watchdog ICSTIS comes after it revealed that the number of complaints about text message scams has rocketed in the past year.

It said it had barred access to 15 lines, and imposed fines of up to £50,000 on the companies responsible.

Heworth councillor Paul Blanchard complained to ICSTIS after receiving an unsolicited text message on his mobile phone, reading: "URGENT! This is our 2nd attempt to contact U. Last weekend's draw shows that U have won a £1,000 prize!"

It said he should call a premium rate number to claim, and added "T&Cs...150ppm."

Coun Blanchard said he assumed 150ppm meant 150 pence per minute to call. "But this is not clear enough and could lead to people mistakenly calling. Also, the £1.50 per minute charge would be from a landline and would cost a lot more from a mobile.

"I also object to the fact that they have texted me in the first place - how did they get my number? I never give out my mobile number so I can only assume that this was a random text designed to con people into calling it."

Cathy Gerosa, investigations manager with ICSTIS, has informed the councillor that the service is being investigated. She added: "Due to the widespread sending of the unsolicited messages, and the fact that the prize has never (to date) been as promised, we are generally taking emergency action to bar access to the number as soon as we can and then follow up with an investigation with the service provider."

When the Evening Press tried to call the premium rate number supplied to Coun Blanchard, it appeared to have been disconnected.

Coun Blanchard told the Evening Press: "It's great news that the regulator has acted so quickly."

He believed an average call to the number from a mobile would cost £14. "I'm glad the regulator has some real teeth - as they acted so quickly, fewer people will be conned.

"Young people use text messaging the most, and as one of York's youngest councillors, I'm glad to be fighting for their interests."

Updated: 09:06 Thursday, June 12, 2003