On February 6 I was mysteriously billed for a 900 number I did not dial. The charge for the 900 number was for $75 by Integretel on behalf of Information Service aka InfoServicZZ on my SBC phone bill. The bill claims I made a phone call to (900) 444-0308 at 12:18AM on 2/6/05. However, I have made no such 900 call. On 2/6/05 my computer was HIJACKED by a SPYWARE program that I did not intentially download.
It is also known as MODEM HIJACKING or a SPYWARE DIALER. It might also be related to a VIRUS or a TROJAN. The computer is hijacked and then USES THE MODEM to make silent calls to 900 numbers that the user does not know about. This can happen if you visit an innocent looking web site, even without downloading anything. Being charged on your phone bill for things you did not authorize is also known as CRAMMING.
On that date my computer was hijacked and it started acting bizarrely including lots of VERY UNWANTED pornographic pop-ups, even though I have TWO pop-up blockers installed, including the latest pop-up blocker from Microsoft. Also my home page kept being changed to an unwanted pornographic web site. Getting all that unwanted porno was extremely upsetting. Also my modem speaker was mysteriously TURNED OFF.
On that date I spent three days cleaning my computer of Spyware using the three leading Spyware cleaners. I have ample logs showing the SPECIFIC spyware cleaned. I used LavaSoft Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Microsoft's new beta AntiSpyware to clean my computer of Spyware. I did not intentially pay for any 900 numbers or porn web sites. Nor did I intentially download any programs on that date.
On the following day, February 7, at about the same time 12:22AM I was billed $13.37 by Billing Concepts, Inc. D/b/a Zero Plus dialing, ZPDI on behalf of Opticom on my SBC phone bill. The bill claims I made a phone call to 214 446-5895 for five minutes, which comes to $2.67 a minute. I never made such a call. The same Spyware dialer must have made this call as well.
I live alone and absolutely no one else has access to this compute or my phone. Literally no one can use them. I am disabled and have a hard time using the computer myself. Any energy I put into trying to resolve this complaint is very difficult due to my disability.
If this happens to you file a complaint with the FTC at www.FTC. Gov. Click on "File a Complaint" at the top! They do follow up on these and the more people that complain then the more likely they are to take action! Also you can get a lot of valuable information by doing searches directly on the FTC site, which shows actions they have taken and information on your rights!
The FTC has already made an order against Integretel before related to "Internet-based adult entertainment - that the consumers never purchased or authorized", quote from FTC order. See the FTC order at http://www.ftc. Gov/opa/11/integretel.htm. This has also been listed as one of the "Law Enforcers Target Top 10 Online Scams", quote by FTC. See http://www.ftc. Gov/opa/10/topten.htm for the FTC Top Ten scams list.
Billing Concepts, Inc. D/b/a Zero Plus dialing, ZPDI has previously had to settle with the FTC for CRAMMING in "FTC v. Enhanced Services Billing, Inc., and Billing Concepts, Inc. Et al". See website: http://www.ftc. Gov/bcp/conline/edcams/cramming/index.html
Other web sites:
Tips on preventing modem hijacking by the New York State Attorney General known as a firebrand consumer advocate: http://www.oag. State. Ny.Us/internet/tips_modem_hijacking.html
FTC site on cramming: http://www.ftc. Gov/bcp/conline/edcams/cramming/index.html
FTC site on unauthourized phone charges: http://www.ftc. Gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/cramalrt.htm
FTC site on 900 numbers and your rights: http://www.ftc. Gov/bcp/conline/pubs/tmarkg/nine.htm
The FTC consumer site: http://www.ftc. Gov/bcp/menu-call.htm
FTC cramming info: http://www.ftc. Gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/cramming.htm
Integretels whois info showing their physical corporate address: http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/whois/
results. Jhtml;jsessionid=0BVZSR4IAO21ECWMEAPSFEY? Whoistoken=0&_requestid=1043318
Integretels site: http://www.integretel.com
Billing Concepts, dba Zero Plus Dialing, aka ZPDI web site: http://www.billingconcepts.com/contactus/index.php
Dale
South San Francisco, California
U.S.A.
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