BTNI Make sure your next bill doesn't have any nasty surprises

Modem problems can occur when you download (sometimes unwittingly) software known as a 'dialler' that alters the number your computer uses to connect to the Internet. These diallers connect to the internet via a premium-rate (090) or international (00) or national rate (e.g 0871) telephone number rather than the number supplied by your ISP.

Whilst there are some 4,000 diallers registered with PhonePayPlus, the UK premium rate industry regulator, working perfectly legitimately, some websites will dupe you into producing high call charges through downloading a supposedly 'harmless' program, application, or service that will include an unregistered dialler. The dialler software is often invisible to users, running discretely in the background so that you do not notice any disruptions. Unexpectedly high call charges associated with unregistered diallers are often only discovered when you receive your phone bill.

Our Response

In response to the growing problems internet users are experiencing regarding unregistered diallers BT have developed a software application that will help combat the issue and minimise the probability of an end user being tricked by unregistered diallers into making these calls.

By monitoring dial-up connections our software will alert you anytime your computer attempts to dial a premium rate, international or non-approved number. The software is for information purposes only, it will alert you to the fact you are dialling a premium rate number, it will not stop the call, it is your responsibility to cease the call if necessary by disconnecting. If in any doubt you should unplug your modem and check your settings before attempting to redial.

Once downloaded, the software automatically launches everytime you start your computer. It monitors internet dial-up connections and alerts you when unauthorised users attempt to dial restricted numbers. When suspicious activity is noticed a display window will warn "You are attempting to dial a premium rate, international or non-approved number. If you do not want to proceed with this call hang up. If in any doubt you should unplug your modem and check your settings before attempting to redial".

If you are alerted by this window you should unplug your modem and run your anti-virus software to check for problems.

Please note: BT is aware of a number of problem diallers using the 0871 prefix. After downloading the BT Privacy Online modem protection software, we advise that you check that neither this number (0871) nor international or premium-rate numbers are included in your approved list. Once the software is installed, check your list of approved numbers by right clicking on the BT Privacy Online modem protection icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen and selecting Options. This will prompt you with a 4-digit access code. The next window that pops up provides you with the Number Administration Facility, which will allow you to remove any or all pre-existing numbers from the software. To remove a specific number left click on it and then choose Remove.