Telkom issues fraud warning

By Staff Writer for Telkom
Johannesburg, 16 Oct 2007

Telkom is urging customers to be aware of an increase in rogue dialling and bandwidth theft.

In a statement, Telkom said customers would be liable for the costs incurred in these crimes.

Thokozani Mvelase, acting executive of Telkom`s asset and revenue protection services, explained: "Rogue dialling is an executable software programme which is downloaded onto a client`s computer while he or she is surfing the Internet. This software drops the connection to the Internet service provider (ISP), dials an international number and then restores the connection to the Web site which the client was surfing before the ISP call was dropped."

This results in long calls at international rates, he said.

Bandwidth theft takes place when a fraudster gains access to the customer`s ISP account, Mvelase explained.

"A software programme downloads the default username and password, which comes with the newly-purchased ADSL hardware. If the legitimate customer does not change and personalise the default username and password, the fraudster can steal the bandwidth capacity of the client.

"This not only affects the client`s ability to continue accessing e-mail or the Internet, but often necessitates the purchase of additional bandwidth," he commented.

As computers and modems are customers` own property, they are liable for the costs incurred in these crimes, said Telkom.

However, to assist in detecting incidences, Telkom has a fraud management system in place which monitors calling behaviour of all clients. This will raise an alarm should the calling profile change.

Telkom also urged victims of bandwidth theft to report the crime to the South African Police Service, which will then contact the relevant ISP for detailed records to assist them in their investigation.

While no statistics are available, there have been a number of successes resulting in perpetrators being fined, it said.