ICSTIS CUTS OFF ROGUE DIALLERS

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Following its decision to license all companies wanting to run premium rate dialler services, ICSTIS, the premium rate services regulator, is shutting down all such services found to be operating without its permission. Any unlicensed dialler service ICSTIS finds, either through public complaints or its own in-house monitoring, will be shut down immediately under the regulator's emergency powers.

In the last week, ICSTIS has barred 11 companies that were running dialler services without having obtained permission to operate. It will decide on the status of a further 33 companies later this week.

ICSTIS' clampdown follows the recent surge in complaints from members of the public claiming that their Internet dial-up connections have been diverted to premium rate numbers without their knowledge or consent. As well as introducing the licensing regime, ICSTIS has imposed strict revenue retention requirements on companies operating dialler services to help ensure that those wanting to rip people off do not get paid.

ICSTIS CUTS OFF ROGUE DIALLERS