Scam results in phone bill shock (From Barry And District News)

Scam results in phone bill shock

BARRY web-surfers are being warned to check their bills after complaints of a premium calls scam.

Vale of Glamorgan Council Trading Standards have issued the advice following complaints from a number of residents.

The first scam happens on access to websites providing premium content. These sites can be pornographic or copyright sites, such as music and films.

When the website is accessed, a large number of pop-up windows will appear and you will be asked to install some software, to facilitate the downloading of that content.

This process will install a dialler that will replace your default internet connection with one that dials a premium rate telephone number.

The second scam works in exactly the same way as the first, but the number dialled is an international number, which can cost up to £2.18 per minute.

Broadband users will not be affected as long as they have disconnected the internal dial-up modem from the phone socket and do not use this modem to make fax or voice calls.

Fran Parry has been one of these victims. She was contacted by ntl about a bill of £250 worth of premium phone calls.

The Green Lawn resident said: "I am extremely worried about the money I will have to pay. Both my husband and I have had operations.

"We are not earning much between us at the moment. It will take a lot to find this extra money. "Our usual bill is at the most £65 a month. "But this was a shock when the man from ntl rang up. We were not even here when the calls were made. We had popped around to my son's house for an hour. "We have been to ICSTIS, who have helped." The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Telephone Information Services investigates premium rate 'rogue callers'.

ntl spokesman Malcolm Padley said: "It is the responsibility of the customer to protect their internet access. We will help Mrs Parry with advice. A good firewall should always be put on the connection." Further information and advice can be obtained by calling Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, or from Trading Standards at tscomplaints@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk