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 Sunday, 22 November 2009
Safety & Security
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Removing a premium-rate dialler

A premium-rate dialler can reroute your internet connection setting to a premium or international number. The implications are costly: you are charged high rates for your telephone connection and may only find out when you receive the bill.

Although premium-rate diallers are associated mostly with dial-up connections, there is a possibility that broadband users that have modems within their computers can download them too.

Prevent and remove premium-rate diallers

- Check that you are connecting via an AOL access number when you go online. If you aren't, contact AOL Member Services immediately.
- Scan your computer with spyware protection frequently - this tool removes all known diallers.
- Premium diallers will call either 090 or international numbers - contact BT to have either or both these categories blocked free by default. If you use another provider, find out what they offer.
- Purchase and install an antivirus program to prevent the internet intruders that come from websites and downloads and make sure it is updated regularly.
- Find out how AOL automatically scans all email and attachments for viruses.
- Install a firewall program.
- Regularly check your phone bill and compare anything suspicious with the list of diallers at www.icstis.org.uk.
- Run a Computer Check-Up and remove grey Messenger pop-ups, which often link to suspect sites.
- Contact your telephone service provider to block all premium-rate numbers (telephone and internet) on your phone line. Please note: they may charge you extra for this service.

Where can I complain about my phone bill?

If you have a complaint about premium-rate charges that have already appeared on your telephone bill, please contact the industry regulator, the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS), on freephone 0800 500212 (9am-4pm, Monday-Friday). More information is available on its website at www.icstis.org.uk.

ICSTIS investigates complaints about any promotion or service involving the use of a telephone connection (including the internet) to make a premium-rate call. Phone companies do not have the power to block numbers, but ICSTIS does, and can shut down 090 numbers, which are easily traceable.