Have you been a victim of the internet premium rate dial-up fraud?

cirrus18

I saw this on BBC2 this evening in a programme about a premium rate dial up scam where victims have had (unknowingly to them) a rogue dialer installed on their computer which then dials up premium rate numbers landing them with bills for hundreds of pounds.
It seems that they can't get any redress from BT or anybody else for that matter. They have banded together to help themselves.
If you have been a victim why don't you join them? You never know you might get your money back. Click the link http://www.premiumratescam.co.uk/

wobbley

I had one of these a couple of years ago. Fortunately it was at about 2pm on Boxing Day and we knew for a fact that we were out and the PC was definately off when the call was supposed to have been made. I stood my ground with BT and eventually got my money (about £22) refunded. When I inspected there was a rogue dailler installed but the time on the BT bill may have been wrong or something. As it's BT (I think) that issue these premium numbers, there should be more stringent checks in place to ensure they are not getting abused. In my mind it's like giving fottball fans baseball bats on their way into the match. Then whinging when violence erupts.

trisontana

If you have Windows XP then you can download software from BT to stop your computer being hijacked. Details here:- http://www.btmodemprotection.com/

Heinz

trisontana wrote:

If you have Windows XP then you can download software from BT to stop your computer being hijacked. Details here:- http://www.btmodemprotection.com/

But that's only necessary for dial-up users - it doesn't affect broadband users.

trisontana

Heinz wrote:

But that's only necessary for dial-up users - it doesn't affect broadband users.

That's what this whole thread is about , rogue diallers. It's nothing to do with broadband!

iwanttosave_2

i got a warning off my virus protection service the other day that an auto dialer tried to make my modem dial a premium rate number, thank god i have good protection

Browntoa

if you want to check your PC is clean or protect it then read

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=3356

iseethestrals

this happened to me, bt wouldnt refund the money. I have all 090 numbers barred from my phone so it cant dial up again- although on broadband now so it aint relevant lol

Backbiter

This is just theft, pure and simple IMO. Some company instals something sceretly on an piece of equipment IN YOUR OWN HOME. Something that you didn't ask for or want and had zero knowledge of. This then hijacks your modem and forces it to make calls to a number you have no knowledge of, overriding the dialup number that you wish to be used to connect you to the net.
A major British company is aware that this is happening, and indeed is implicated in that it issues premium numbers to these companies whose sole raison d'etre is to make money out of people who are unaware they are being ripped off. And yet this major company won't give redress to the victims of this scam.
Is this not a scandal? Am I missing something as to why these rogue diallers should be allowed to exist with BT's compliance/ connivance?
I've not had the misfortune to be a victim myself, but this still makes me seethe just reading about it.

jake_bullet_2

Yes Backbiter, you're missing the point that it's not BT (or any other company) who are responsible for ensuring that people use their computers properly.

If you get a dialler on your machine then it's YOUR fault and you are responsible for the bill. If you don't know how to work a computer then perhaps it's best to not own one, otherwise pay for your mistakes like a grown up.

(The references to "you" here are not directed at any individual btw, it's like the royal "we"!)

spankymonkey_2

i think it is the phone providers fault really these numbers are rented out with the knowledge that they are not legal as long as they get their money they are not bothered.... these dialers can get on your pc without your knowledge and dial whenenever they want it to.whether the pc is on or off. broadband users can be targeted too if their modem is still attached.i have been stung but it was a small amount(£50) and the company was fined and told to pay everyone back it had falsely charged, little did icstis know the company had moved so no fine was paid, and noone was paid out either!!!! :mad: