NUMBER OF FRAUDULENT REROUTING CASES DECREASED IN 2006
8.3.2006
The number of cases of fraudulent rerouting to phone lines with the 976 prefix has continued to decrease over the last three months. This follows from ČESKÝ TELECOM’s statistics from February. While nearly 500 problematic cases had been reported in a survey conducted in January 2005, in November of the same year this number dropped to nearly 300 problematic cases. At the beginning of 2006, ČESKÝ TELECOM resolved less than 250.
"Not only the number, but also the total duration of individual dial-up Internet connections is constantly decreasing," says Otto Karsch, Security Manager, ČESKÝ TELECOM.
Lines with premium tariffs are used to provide information services, contests, lotteries or other special services. Data lines begin with the 976 prefix, while voice lines begin with 90x. Classic dial-up Internet connections are being abused by frauds. With the assistance of harmful software or scripts, they can reroute a classic modem connection to a premium tariff line without warning the customer. So instead of 18 koruna per hour, in some case the victim can end up being charged 4200 koruna per hour.
"We have been trying to fight the dishonest activities of these frauds for a long time. January’s statistics confirm that our hard work has been paying off," states Otto Karsch. In summer 2004, in the scope of the Association of Public Telecommunications Network Providers (APTNP), ČESKÝ TELECOM called on other operators to join it in its fight against fraudulent calling and rerouting to premium tariff lines.
The most frequently called 976 lines to which fixed telephone line customers were being connected and charged over CZK 50 per minute were lines in the České radiokomunikace and GTS Novera networks.
In addition to maximising Internet users’ awareness, one of ČESKÝ TELECOM’s most significant measures has been providing the free supplemental PC Guardian service. This provides clients with comprehensive protection of their computers, data and personal communication. You can find out about other ČESKÝ TELECOM products that aim to prevent uncontrolled telephone bills (e.g. InfoLimit) at www.telecom.cz, at Telepoint sales outlets, or by calling the operator’s toll-free info-line on 800 123 456.
Martin Zabka
Spokesperson
ČESKÝ TELECOM, a. s., member of the Telefónica Group is the leading telecommunications company in the Czech Republic. Through its subsidiary company Eurotel Praha, spol. s r.o., it also has a significant presence in the Czech mobile services market. Further information about the firm and the services it offers is available at www.telecom.cz, which was rated as BestWeb 2003 in the WebTop100 survey.
Signum Temporis has consistently awarded ČESKÝ TELECOM for being one of the domestic capital market's most transparent firms in terms of providing information. Based on an open vote of specialists, members of the press and a nine-member committee, ČESKÝ TELECOM placed first in 2003, just as it did in 2001.
ČESKÝ TELECOM ranks among the most prominent firms on the Czech capital market in terms of capitalization and trading volumes. Its shares are also traded on the London Stock Exchange in the form of GDRs. ČESKÝ TELECOM's credit rating is the highest a Czech corporation can receive from top international rating agencies.
About Telefónica
Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation. Its activities are centered mainly on the fixed and mobile telephony businesses with broadband as the key tool for the development of both.
The company has a significant presence in 19 countries and a customer base that amounts more than 180 million accesses around the world. Telefónica has a strong presence in Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy.
Telefónica is a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4,921,130,397 ordinary shares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia) and on those in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, New York, Lima, Buenos Aires and São Paulo.
