Avoid Premium Rate numbers. UK based Premium Rate numbers usually begin with 090 and cost from 10p to £5 or more per minute. They are usually found on sites advertising services which are best avoided but can be used for some legitimate services such as:

• Competitions, free or cheap holiday offers / timeshares
• Technical Computer Support
• Information Services e.g. weather

You may want to use these services or find it necessary (e.g. technical computer support). If you have to use them ask how much it is costing at the start of the call or ask the company if they can call you back.

Some telephone service providers such as BT can block access to premium rate numbers.

Premium Rate numbers you should avoid

One way in which your computer can be connected to these numbers is if you have closed or clicked on a ‘pop up’ advert incorrectly. These sites can disconnect you from your usual Internet Service Provider and reconnect to another line - usually an international or premium rate number. This can happen without your knowledge and can stay connected at the expensive rate for long periods of time. This number may be remembered by your computer and dialled whenever you connect to the Internet, resulting in high telephone bills which you may have difficulty in objecting to. This is why it is important to regularly check that your dial-up number is correct.

You can do this by going to: Start —> Control Panel —> Network Connections —> (right click on your connection) —> Properties

Broadband connects to the internet differently to dial-up connections, you have more protection with a broadband connection.

Action Checklist

• When in doubt close unwanted ‘pop up’ windows – never click ‘OK’
• Always read carefully any Internet messages that offer downloads
• Consider installing a premium rate call barring mechanism – contact your telephone supplier for details e.g. if you have a BT line you can find details at www.bt.com/btprivacyonline

Check that you only have one internet connection number set up.

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