Complaint Review: Alyon Technologies

On the evening of June 1, 2003 at approximately 1930 hours my son dialed up the Internet using our local Internet Service Provider (ISP). He began downloading a codec update for Windows Media Player so he could watch a DVD movie. During the download many Internet advertising Pop Ups were being displayed on the screen and he was closing them as fast as he could so he could get the download and watch the DVD movie. After closing several of these Pop Ups he noticed that the connection was dropped and a redial began, he had this happen before with our local ISP.

He waited until the connection completed and the download to finish before he closed the connection at approximately 2000 hours. He watched his movie and went to bed without a single thought of what just happened to him on the Internet.

On June 6, 2003 via mail we received a billing for 11 minutes of Internet access from a company in New Jersey called Alyon Technologies. The bill was for the amount of $53.79 for Premium Web Content. My son did not access this content, what ever it is, he was in the middle of downloading a codec and when finished he dropped the connection.

I did some research of the above company on the Internet to find out what they provide. It seems that it is basically an ISP based in New Jersey. I cannot figure out why anyone outside New Jersey would dial a long distance number (201 553 4707) to access the Internet, especially when that person was already connected by their own ISP. One would not only incur the charges of long distance but also of the New Jersey ISP.

According to many people on the Internet that have had their own connection unknowingly diverted to this ISP it seems to be a method of making money without the persons consent, at the very least without them realizing what has taken place until the bill arrives in the mail.

John
Marina, California
U.S.A.