I hope I am posting this in the correct area and it is not something redundant.
On december 9 2005 at 11:57 PM my pc was infected with spyaxe and the wonderful people here helped me get rid of it thru this thread.....
http://www.malwareremoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5651
Recently I received my Quest phone bill, and it had a $40 charge for a 2 minute call at 11:59 PM Dec 9th 2005 to a 900 number, which was 900-444-0353 to Atlantic Management. I did not make the call from my phone but spyaxe did make it thru my modem while I was connected via comcast.
Quest said they only bill for a company called Integretel 900 Service and have nothing to do with the charge.
I contacted Integretel and they sent the following email,
Dear Beth **********,
I received your inquiry in which you are disputing a charge on your
local telephone statement. After reviewing your account I show we are
billing on behalf of Information Service 900. Our records show on
(12/09/05), at (11:59P), a direct dial 900 number was dialed using a
computer modem. This number was used to download and install a small
software program. Using our number identification system, similar to
911
technology, we traced the number back to this line which resulted in a
flat rate charge on your telephone bill.
The 2 minute call was the amount of time it took for your computer
modem
to dial the 900 number and give the user a login and password that will
be valid in the 30 day period. The person who accessed the site was
provided full disclosures of charges, terms and conditions of service,
and then prompted to click "I accept, or connect on two separate
occasions. The person was also given the opportunity to cancel at any
time.
Due to privacy issues we are unable to provide you with the exact site;
however you may check the history in your computer log or look for any
new icons on your desktop. The icon for the dialer will give you
insight
as to what website was accessed. I can tell you that the user had
access
to a variety of information services such as sports, personals, games,
and entertainment programming using a user name and password to access.
If you need help identifying the program, you may visit our free
information website (http://www.infoservices900.com) on how to uninstall the
computer program.
I have issued you credit for $40.00 and blocked the 900 number billed
by
our Company for additional 900 blocking refer to your local Telephone
Company. Please allow one to two billing cycles for the credit to
appear
on your local telephone statement.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Denton
Consumer Relations
Even though they will apparently credit my account, they deny doing anything unethical (hijacking my browser and installing a dialer) and insist I made this choice. I did not click any of the spyaxe pop up windows. This was a total attack on my pc and amounts to extortion.
This company refuses to name the company I supposedly contracted with because of privacy??? This is where spyaxe is coming from and if there is justice in this world all those involved, Quest, Integretel, and Atlantic Management will suffer the coming wrath they deserve. They all receive a cut of the billing so they are all equally guilty. How many just pay these charges, either because they wont take the time to protest or they are unnoticed in large phone bills? I know that millions are made this way and it is not right.
Everyone must call their phone company and have 900 and 976 numbers blocked in the US and whatever numbers they are in other countries. Not having a phone line connected to your pc would work but I use mine for a fax and need it. I think all that have had spyaxe should be made aware of this possibility so they can check their phone bills carefully.
Thank you all so much for the work you do
beth