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The number of complaints about dodgy premium rate services (PRS) is still on the slide, according to industry regulator ICSTIS.

In the six months to March, ICSTIS registered a significant tail-off in complaints about quiz TV services and a 62 per cent drop in complaints about services on mobile short codes.

All in all, the number of complaints about all PRS services fell 53 per cent over the last six months.

This is "good news for consumers and good news for the industry", ICSTIS boss George Kidd said.

"We've forged closer and better working relationships with the industry and this, combined with our continued targeted enforcement action, has allowed us to prevent consumer harm more effectively and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to deal with new products and services," he said.

ICSTIS reckons more than £1.6bn will be spent on premium rate services in the coming year - almost £35 by every adult in the UK. ®

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