ALERT! The Federal Trade Commission has issued a statement saying that you should not pay your local telephone company for these charges, regardless of what they say. You should "refuse to pay for anything you did not authorize, as long as it's not a transmission charge," FTC officials said. Charges for hijacked calls to XXX websites count as charges for content not transmission. Follow the steps below under "What to do" for more help.
Here's how it works...
1) The consumer -- usually a teenager -- logs on to a computer and accesses a pornography site through his or her Internet Service Provider (ISP).
2) A teaser website then downloads "dialer" software onto the consumer's computer.
3) After "dialer" software is activated, the consumer's computer modem disconnects from the ISP and dials an international telephone number assigned to Madagascar, Vanatu or another distant foreign country.
4) The consumer then returns to the Internet through an ISP purportedly located in Madagascar or the foreign country initially called.
5) The consumer's website is directed to an adult-content website hosted on a computer in the United States.
6) You are billed at up to $7 to $8 dollars a minute and the charges appear on your AT&T bill. Keep in mind that you don't have to be an AT&T customer to be a victim.
Here's What to Do...
1) Clark prefers that you not pay your telephone bill even if your long distance company threatens to cut off service. The odds are you will never see the money again.
2) Put the charges in dispute with your long distance company and let them know you are filing a complaint with your local public utilities commission if they attempt to cut off your service. Also, consider switching to one of these free or low-cost long distance services.
3) File a complaint with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) about the company and the charges.
4) Review your telephone bill carefully each month. And ask that your local phone company block your phone from making international calls if you have no need to make them.
