Financial costs of auto-dial programs

People can use your modem without your knowledge to dial long-distance telephone numbers and bill your phone account. This is done through the use of computer programs you may inadvertently download. Some operate while you're surfing the Web, disconnecting your dial-up Internet connection and reconnecting it through a new number. Others go to work while you're away from your machine, dialing numbers after your system sits idle for a certain amount of time.

Here's how you can avoid this trap:

• Read EVERYTHING before clicking OK, especially when you are going to download something
• Call your telephone service provider (not your ISP)
• Turn off your computer and modem when not in use
• Don't delete data from your browser's history files, so that you can trace back problems if necessary
• Monitor other people when they use the Internet on your computer
• Be especially careful of adult sites

This sort of scam — known as modem hijacking, dialer hijacking, or Internet dumping — has become increasingly prevalent. What is "Internet dumping"? It occurs when a Web site you are visiting purposely disconnects you from your local Internet service provider (ISP) and reconnects you through another one, usually using an international phone number or one that’s expensive to use. The Web site will usually ask your permission first, but the request may be written in tiny print among lots of other information about free downloads or software. Auto-dialers occur most often on adult-oriented Web sites.

Typically, dialers are loaded onto systems via what’s known as an ActiveX script. At the very least, you should make sure your Internet browser is set to reject ActiveX code or warn you when such code attempts to run.

It should be noted that the use of auto-dialer services to enter a Web site is not illegal but the service must abide by its own set of rules contained in a disclaimer shown before the program is downloaded. It is the malicious use of auto-dialer programs on the Internet (e.g. auto-dialers that load without a disclaimer or that do not operate according to the conditions set out in their disclaimer) that may constitute a crime.

Incidents of suspected illegal use of an auto-dialer can be reported through the Reporting Economic Crime On-Line (RECOL) application, http://www.recol.ca, or by phone through the PhoneBusters National Call Centre (http://www.phonebusters.com) at (888) 495-8501 toll free.