Scams involving premium rate services hit the headlines over the
summer when thousands of computer users found themselves with
unexpectedly high telephone bills, sometimes caused by fraudulent
internet charges.
Of most concern were rogue diallers – software that installs a
premium rate number as the default dial-up number on a victim's
computer without his knowledge, resulting in an unexpectedly
expensive call every time the computer connects to the
internet.
In the wake of public outrage over the frauds, ICSTIS, the UK
watchdog for premium rate phone numbers, set out new rules for
companies that run premium rate services using internet dialler
software. These require the prior permission of the regulator
before a service can come into operation, and will only be given if
certain standards are met.
Ofcom, the communications regulator, has also announced a review
of the rules governing premium rate 090 telephone services. This
will consider options to strengthen the powers of ICSTIS as well as
any other actions necessary.
But according to The Register, dialler frauds are already
evolving to take account of the new rules that are being imposed in
the UK and throughout Europe. The news site reports on a warning
issued by German web site Dialerschutz over a scam that is likely
to be copied by other fraudsters.
The new fraud, says The Register, relates to a Mallorca based
porn company that complies with all the new dialler conditions, but
has programmed its on-line payment agreement to automatically say
"yes". This means that unwitting users may find themselves signing
up to charges without actually intending to.
