Watchdog issues porn dialler guidelines

The body that regulates premium-rate telephone services has issued guidance telling users how to deal with porn diallers.

The leaflet from ICSTIS explains how to distinguish legitimate dialler services from those that reroute dial-up connections by tricking consumers. It also explains how to make a complaint if you think you have been duped into downloading a dialler.

You can download the leaflet in electronic format here.

Porn diallers reroute a dial-up internet connection away from your ISP's number and through a premium-rate telephone number, normally to a company based overseas.

Many consumers have found themselves facing bills of hundreds of pounds, with disputed bills for 2004 alone topping £2m.

ICSTIS has introduced a licensing scheme for companies that wish to operate such services, with strict rules about the kind and clarity of information that must be displayed on-screen before the internet call is rerouted.

See also:

Adware dominates PC malware infections

Vi@gra sellers get desperate  23 Mar 2005

BT pulls the plug on 1,000 rogue dialling lines

Telco works with regulator to block internet traffic to suspect numbers  06 Oct 2004

Know your consumer rights - Part 1: The basics

Give yourself the upper hand in dealing with disputes with our guide to your rights as a consumer  23 Aug 2004

Bugwatch: Trojan diallers on the loose

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to premium-rate dial-up scams  11 Aug 2004

Ofcom to review premium-rate rip offs

Watchdog could order crackdown on rogue diallers and mobile scams  04 Aug 2004

Like this story? Spread the news by clicking below:

 del.icio.us     Digg this     reddit!