When Your Computer Makes A Call...Without Your Okay
If you use the Internet, you're
probably dialing a local phone number to get online. Chances are you know
exactly what you pay for that local service. However, many consumers are
surprised to find they've been charged for calls to destinations that aren't
remotely local, simply remote. The calls were made through their modems
without their knowledge or approval.
How does it happen? Most often, it's a scheme
some
Web sites use to trick consumers into paying to access "free" Internet content.
Some sites claim to be "free" or advertise that "no credit card is
needed," then prompt the user to download a "viewer" or "dialer" program. Here's
the catch: Once the program is downloaded to the user's computer, it disconnects
from the Internet and reconnects using another phone number - a domestic long
distance, international or 900 number - at rates between $2 and $7 a
minute - or more!
These scams, which are typically
associated with adult sites, don't require a credit card number for access. That
means they're available to children, who can click onto them without their
parents' knowledge or permission. Even if parents disable international calling
from their phone lines, many modem dialers are programmed to circumvent the
"block," and initiate international calls using a "10-10 dial-around"
prefix.
Here's how you can minimize your chances of finding
surprise charges on your phone bill:
- Consider a dedicated phone line for your computer
and restrict it to local calls.
- Pay attention to any program that enables your modem
to re-dial to the Internet. If you see a dialog box on your computer indicating
that it's dialing when you didn't direct it to, cancel the connection and hang
up. Check the number you're dialing and continue only if it's a local
call.
- Make sure your modem makes an audible noise when
dialing a phone number - so you can hear that a new connection is being
made.
- Delete any dialer programs that have been downloaded
onto your computer.
- Read online disclosures carefully. They may be
buried several clicks away in pages of small print. In addition, read the
language in the typical gray boxes on your screen. Don't click on "OK" unless
you know exactly what you're agreeing to.
- If in the past you used a modem to dial up the
Internet and now you use a high-speed DSL or cable connection, disconnect the
phone line from your computer. You don't need it to access the Internet any
more, and it could leave you vulnerable to a dialer program.
- You may want to install a firewall, especially if
you use a high-speed Internet connection. A firewall is software or hardware
designed to block hackers from accessing your computer. You also might consider
increasing the security settings on the operating system software on your
computer.
- Talk to your children. Explain that they could be
targets of international modem dialing scams and tell them the consequences of
downloading "viewer" or "dialer" programs on the computer.
- Monitor your children's Internet use. Keep track of
the Web sites your children visit by checking the Web browser history files and
cache.
- Be skeptical when surfing the Web especially when
you see claims like "free" or "no credit card needed" in exchange for a product
or service.
- Dispute the charges with the company doing the
billing.
- Save the bill. If you think you've been a victim of
unauthorized modem dialing, it may help identify the scammers when you report
the incident.
- If you think you have an unauthorized dialer on your
machine and/or are infected by a virus, e-mail
a report of the incident to us. Or call
tech support at 905-685-1539 (select option
3) and make an appointment to bring your computer in to Vaxxine.
For a modest fee, we will remove the dialer and/or rid your machine of all virus
files.
*Some limitations may apply depending on the dialer/virus and
amount
of damage.
Report Frauds & Scams:
It's not always easy to spot scams, and new ones are invented every
day. If you suspect that you may be a target of fraud, or if you have already
sent funds, don't be embarrassed - you're not alone. If you want to report
a fraud, or if you need more information, contact PhoneBusters:
Toll Free: 1-888-495-8501
Fax: (705) 494-4008 Toll Free Fax: 1-888-654-9426
Email: info@phonebusters.com
or contact the Competition Bureau
1-800-348-5358
Website: www.cb-bc.gc.ca
Email: compbureau@cb-bc.gc.ca |
Dialer
Scams
