I got this bill from Premier Premium Communications today for 60 dollars, and find that I will also be billed on my phone bill for accessing some phone number in the United Kingdom.
While browsing the net, I checked out a few "naughty" sites to see what they were about.in the midst of one site, I got a few pop-ups that I clicked off, then I left the sites figuring they were more trouble than they were worth.
Later my computer disconnected from the phone line. While I was trying to figureout what happened (had my phone service been disconnected for some reason), I noticed a window on my screen identifying it as a dialer program.
I didn't have much time to read the text on the dialer before I heard the computer quickly dial and connect.
I was able to quickly (but aparently, not quick enough) disconnect the phone line, and search for the offending program.
I thought I had iradicated it, but found I still had it the next day after I left the computer to answer the door, and returned to find that the offending dialer had come up again. It was connected, but no browser was up to show what was supposed to be transmited for the 30 dollars for the minimum of 6 minutes.
I don't know if this company is legit or not, but it sure seems like at least one of thier clients is at least a little shady.
I looked at the FAQ section of the Premier Premium Communications web site, and found these little tidbits.
In the answer to FAQ #1, they say that we are offered to download special billing software used to view premium website contact advertised a particular site. I never was prompted to or not to download any special software. It just (aparently) came in with the rest of the data from the website.
FAQ#1 also says that the computer user is presented with the option to press "I Accept" or "Cancel". I gave no input to the dialer. It just kicked me offline, presented itself on the screen, then dialed it's number.
I don't doubt for one minute that the words "I Accept" and "Cancel" are displayed on the screen, but it is irrelevent if the dialer is going to dial out anyway. I didn't have time to casually read the text of the dialer display anyway, I was busy trying to figure out why I lost connection.
FAQ#1 also says "It is impossible to have this software dial out without first accepting the disclaimer, and during the entire dialing process the user has the option of disconnecting at no charge". I would Whole heartedly disagree.
FAQ#2 says "When visiting a site, the computer user is offered the option to use the billing software as a payment method to view the premium content that was advertised". I was never offered, nor did I authorize the download of ANY dialer. If I was offered, I would have declined.
FAQ#4 says "1. The user must accept the certified download to install the billing software onto thier computer". No such offer to accept or decline was offered.
FAQ#4 says "2. The user must read and agree to the legally binding disclosure that the software displays.By accepting the disclosure, the user agrees that they are of legal age in thier state, that they are the telephone line subscriber or have permission from the telephone line subscriber, and that they promise to pay for all fees incurred". I was suprised when my computer disconnected unexpectedly, and while quickly trying to figure out what was wrong, I'm even more confused when the computer dials out and connects. Once I realize what is happening, I have to disconnect the phone line to stop the call.
FAQ#21: The FAQ is "I was connected without my knowledge", and part of the text of the answer reads "This is not likly. There is absolutely no way that the billing software our clients have developed would connect you without your knowledge." If this is true, how come I was using my normal internet access software when I answered the door, then came back to find that dialer program up, running, and engaged?
To be fair, I think it is possible that Premier Premium Communications may well be acting in good faith, and that one of thier clients may be using a version of the legitimate billing software that has been altered (hacked maybe?) to bypass the built-in procedures to ensure that only the computer of a fully willing customer will be logged on.
Let's compare phone numbers to see if several access numbers seem to keep being complained about, or perhaps just one or two or so. The number on my bill is 44 207 335 84. If it is only one, or a very few sites that are being complained about (as opposed to the "thousands of affiliate web sites managed by our clients" (found in FAQ#1), then perhaps Premier Premium Communications should consider dropping that site as a client to prevent any damage (or further damage) to Premier's good name.
Thank you for your time.
0 comments