International Rates :
Intrastate Rates :
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Why are people getting strange long distance charges on their phone bill?
There has recently been an increase in the number of customers receiving unexpected long distance charges on their phone bills.
The charges may be related to "modem hijacking", with the long distance charges occurring from calls to Guinea-Bissau (245), Nauru, (674), and Sao Tome (239)
among other countries.
What is Dial-Around Telecom doing to prevent modem hijacking?
To help prevent modem hijacking, all long distance direct-dialed calls to these three countries made on the Dial-Around Telecom network
will be blocked effective April 1, 2006. To place long distance calls after April 1st to these countries, call the Dial-Around Telecom operator by dialing "0".
What is modem hijacking and how does it happen?
Modem hijacking can occur when a Web site asks you to do the following to access their Web site information:
- download a file via a pop-up window
- accept their Web site's Terms and Conditions
- download a special viewer or dialer to access content
The file or download then accesses software on your computer to use your modem to dial phone numbers in foreign countries resulting in long distance charges and/or connection fees appearing on your phone bill.
The file may also hide behind pop-up ads activated from previous Web browsing.
Who does it affect?
Anyone with a dial-up connection who unknowingly downloads programs from certain Web sites or pop up windows can be affected.
This includes high speed (ADSL or cable modem) customers who also have a dial-up connection in place.
How can I protect myself?
If you have high speed Internet (ADSL or cable modem) you should not be susceptible to this scam. However,
if you have high speed and a dial up connection such as a fax modem you may be susceptible. Ensure you disconnect all dial-up connections
when not in use. For example: If you have a fax modem connected from to computer, disconnect it when not in use.
- Don't download a program from a Website or source you don't know or trust.
- Carefully read disclaimers, Terms and Conditions and warnings before downloading information.
- Supervise your children's Internet activities.
- Keep your anti-virus software current.
- Remove any network and dial-up connections on your computer that you are not familiar with.
- Check your phone bill to verify your long distance charges.
Dial-Around Telecom tries to be as understanding and flexible as possible, but customers are ultimately responsible for the charges they incur.
Dial-Around Telecom and other telephone carriers have contracts with telephone companies in other countries and must pay the long-distance charges for calls
made by their customers.
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Available in most areas. Rates exclude governmental taxes and fees, including the Universal Service Fund,
similar state funds, and LEC Billing Recovery Fee ($1.99/bill). All calls will be charged in 1 minute increments. Interstate and international rates are subject
to change without prior notification. We take your Privacy seriously. No part of this web site may be reproduced in any form without written permission.