- Report: #144012
Complaint Review: Integretel - Nationwide
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Integretel
integretel.com Nationwide, U.S.A.
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800-736-7500
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Integretel Fraudulent 900 Number Charges San Jose California
As I can see now Integretel has been involved for quite some time now preying on unsuspecting folks and fraudulently charging people for 1-900 calls that were never authorized.
To date, I have been falsely charged for over $300 dollars for 1-900 calls that I conclusively never made. I in part blame Integretel for their unethical part in supporting clientele that are obviously amoral ruthless organizations. Though they play a critical role in the scam and are most notably the "front man", we cannot forget about the number of other organizations that are involved in this. Integretel simply provides the transport mechanism for these slimy people. In my case their client was:
WSWTEL
PO BOX 53750
San Jose CA 95153-0750
However, there is a third player in this scam...the folks creating the spyware/spydial/malware that forces your system to make these calls. All parties involved must be held responsible.
My experience with Integretel was much the same as everyone else. I call them, they answer politely, tell me what their service is and what the charges are for and I proceed to tell them they I in no shape or way ever authorize these transactions. They say that I must have because there is a splash screen that appears outlining the EULA. At that point I tell them that I am Director of Engineering for an Outsource IT firm and I know exactly what I am clicking on....and there was no cormation page or EULA that ever appeared. Additionally, I let her know politely that I would be investigating this fraud and reporting it further to the appropriate agencies.
At this time she said that she was authorized to take 50% off of the charges if I wished to dispute them. Stunned for a second I clarifeid that she would return $150 and she said she would. I then promptly replied that I in no way incurred these charges and I will dispute all the charges. This time she offered to refund 100% of the charges but it would take 2 to 3 billing cycles for the payment to be refunded to SBC and my account. Flabbergasted at her statement, I clarified her offer, accepted her offer and then proceeded to ask her to explain why exactly she was refunding 100% of the charges. She replied that "she understands that some folks may not know what they are accepting and Integretel wants to have the customers have a positive experience"......you've got to be kidding me!
Lastly, please do register a complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/slamming. The FTC has already made an order against Integretel before related to "Internet-based adult entertainment - that the consumers never purchased or authorized", quote from FTC order. See the FTC order at ftc.gov/opa/2002/11/integretel.htm. This has also been listed as one of the "Law Enforcers Target Top 10 Online Scams", quote by FTC. See ftc.gov/opa/2000/10/topten.htm for the FTC Top Ten scams list.
Anyways here is the details of the charges that appeared on my phone bill. I will follow this up further as I investigate more.
Keith
Half Moon Bay, California
U.S.A.
To date, I have been falsely charged for over $300 dollars for 1-900 calls that I conclusively never made. I in part blame Integretel for their unethical part in supporting clientele that are obviously amoral ruthless organizations. Though they play a critical role in the scam and are most notably the "front man", we cannot forget about the number of other organizations that are involved in this. Integretel simply provides the transport mechanism for these slimy people. In my case their client was:
WSWTEL
PO BOX 53750
San Jose CA 95153-0750
However, there is a third player in this scam...the folks creating the spyware/spydial/malware that forces your system to make these calls. All parties involved must be held responsible.
My experience with Integretel was much the same as everyone else. I call them, they answer politely, tell me what their service is and what the charges are for and I proceed to tell them they I in no shape or way ever authorize these transactions. They say that I must have because there is a splash screen that appears outlining the EULA. At that point I tell them that I am Director of Engineering for an Outsource IT firm and I know exactly what I am clicking on....and there was no cormation page or EULA that ever appeared. Additionally, I let her know politely that I would be investigating this fraud and reporting it further to the appropriate agencies.
At this time she said that she was authorized to take 50% off of the charges if I wished to dispute them. Stunned for a second I clarifeid that she would return $150 and she said she would. I then promptly replied that I in no way incurred these charges and I will dispute all the charges. This time she offered to refund 100% of the charges but it would take 2 to 3 billing cycles for the payment to be refunded to SBC and my account. Flabbergasted at her statement, I clarified her offer, accepted her offer and then proceeded to ask her to explain why exactly she was refunding 100% of the charges. She replied that "she understands that some folks may not know what they are accepting and Integretel wants to have the customers have a positive experience"......you've got to be kidding me!
Lastly, please do register a complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/slamming. The FTC has already made an order against Integretel before related to "Internet-based adult entertainment - that the consumers never purchased or authorized", quote from FTC order. See the FTC order at ftc.gov/opa/2002/11/integretel.htm. This has also been listed as one of the "Law Enforcers Target Top 10 Online Scams", quote by FTC. See ftc.gov/opa/2000/10/topten.htm for the FTC Top Ten scams list.
Anyways here is the details of the charges that appeared on my phone bill. I will follow this up further as I investigate more.
Keith
Half Moon Bay, California
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Dale
South San Francisco,California,
U.S.A.
Can someone track down the virus/malware?
#2Consumer Comment
Wed, June 01, 2005
Hey, a Half Moon Bay person, cool. I think it is great that you are a Director of Engineering. It would be great if some folks who are computer experts, who this has happened to, tries to track the hijack/virus/spyware/malware down. I have tried, but my back is not what it used to be. But it is also great mentioning your expertise and position in your complaints. This gives them more credibility. Also, including any other details that gives your complaint credibility helps. If you are a computer expert or even a computer hobbyist try to get the following information after you get hijacked. Post any details that are not confidential here and/or include in your complaint to the authorities: 1. Look in your system events to find the event at the time of the call. It should be at the same time as the call billed on your phone bill, except Integretel did admit to me that I was billed at the incorrect time. I was billed after midnight when actually the call occurred after six PM. Note if there is a differenc between actual time call occurred in system events and billed time. This might be important if the time is different. Anyhow the event might have a reference to TIBSYSTEMS, one of the hacked dialers used. 2. Look at web sites you might have been looking at the day of the hijacking. See if you can find the site that loaded the virus/malware/spyware. But of course only do this if you know how to do it safely. If you are not careful you could get a virus again, which no one wants. 3. Can anyone isolate the virus/malware? You would have to be pretty knowledgeable to do this safely, but someone must be able to do it. But the only ones that should do it are ones who know what they are doing safely. I can't emphasise that enough. 4. Examine and save your logs from your virus and spyware cleaners. These might be needed by law enforcement authorities in the future. If anything looks related to the hijack note it in the complaint. Also, if you are in California post a complaint with the Attorney General. Since Integretel exists in California and if you do too then they have jurisdiction, I think. Also file reports with the FCC, too. They have actually responded to my complaint. The Chief of the Division no less. It is easy enough to cut the complaint text and put it in more then one complaint site. And, I have lots more details on my complaint on this site. Man, am I verbose. But basically it gets down to Integretel and other companies need to have some way of showing verifiable authorization. They can't just say you accepted the terms of an agreement without actually able to verify that you authorized it. That is like Systems Audit 101. But maybe they flunked that class. Anyhoo these are just some brainstorming ideas. If I am wrong on anything don't hit me over the head with a big fish or anything.
Dale
South San Francisco,California,
U.S.A.
Can someone track down the virus/malware?
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, June 01, 2005
Hey, a Half Moon Bay person, cool. I think it is great that you are a Director of Engineering. It would be great if some folks who are computer experts, who this has happened to, tries to track the hijack/virus/spyware/malware down. I have tried, but my back is not what it used to be. But it is also great mentioning your expertise and position in your complaints. This gives them more credibility. Also, including any other details that gives your complaint credibility helps. If you are a computer expert or even a computer hobbyist try to get the following information after you get hijacked. Post any details that are not confidential here and/or include in your complaint to the authorities: 1. Look in your system events to find the event at the time of the call. It should be at the same time as the call billed on your phone bill, except Integretel did admit to me that I was billed at the incorrect time. I was billed after midnight when actually the call occurred after six PM. Note if there is a differenc between actual time call occurred in system events and billed time. This might be important if the time is different. Anyhow the event might have a reference to TIBSYSTEMS, one of the hacked dialers used. 2. Look at web sites you might have been looking at the day of the hijacking. See if you can find the site that loaded the virus/malware/spyware. But of course only do this if you know how to do it safely. If you are not careful you could get a virus again, which no one wants. 3. Can anyone isolate the virus/malware? You would have to be pretty knowledgeable to do this safely, but someone must be able to do it. But the only ones that should do it are ones who know what they are doing safely. I can't emphasise that enough. 4. Examine and save your logs from your virus and spyware cleaners. These might be needed by law enforcement authorities in the future. If anything looks related to the hijack note it in the complaint. Also, if you are in California post a complaint with the Attorney General. Since Integretel exists in California and if you do too then they have jurisdiction, I think. Also file reports with the FCC, too. They have actually responded to my complaint. The Chief of the Division no less. It is easy enough to cut the complaint text and put it in more then one complaint site. And, I have lots more details on my complaint on this site. Man, am I verbose. But basically it gets down to Integretel and other companies need to have some way of showing verifiable authorization. They can't just say you accepted the terms of an agreement without actually able to verify that you authorized it. That is like Systems Audit 101. But maybe they flunked that class. Anyhoo these are just some brainstorming ideas. If I am wrong on anything don't hit me over the head with a big fish or anything.
Dale
South San Francisco,California,
U.S.A.
Can someone track down the virus/malware?
#4Consumer Comment
Wed, June 01, 2005
Hey, a Half Moon Bay person, cool. I think it is great that you are a Director of Engineering. It would be great if some folks who are computer experts, who this has happened to, tries to track the hijack/virus/spyware/malware down. I have tried, but my back is not what it used to be. But it is also great mentioning your expertise and position in your complaints. This gives them more credibility. Also, including any other details that gives your complaint credibility helps. If you are a computer expert or even a computer hobbyist try to get the following information after you get hijacked. Post any details that are not confidential here and/or include in your complaint to the authorities: 1. Look in your system events to find the event at the time of the call. It should be at the same time as the call billed on your phone bill, except Integretel did admit to me that I was billed at the incorrect time. I was billed after midnight when actually the call occurred after six PM. Note if there is a differenc between actual time call occurred in system events and billed time. This might be important if the time is different. Anyhow the event might have a reference to TIBSYSTEMS, one of the hacked dialers used. 2. Look at web sites you might have been looking at the day of the hijacking. See if you can find the site that loaded the virus/malware/spyware. But of course only do this if you know how to do it safely. If you are not careful you could get a virus again, which no one wants. 3. Can anyone isolate the virus/malware? You would have to be pretty knowledgeable to do this safely, but someone must be able to do it. But the only ones that should do it are ones who know what they are doing safely. I can't emphasise that enough. 4. Examine and save your logs from your virus and spyware cleaners. These might be needed by law enforcement authorities in the future. If anything looks related to the hijack note it in the complaint. Also, if you are in California post a complaint with the Attorney General. Since Integretel exists in California and if you do too then they have jurisdiction, I think. Also file reports with the FCC, too. They have actually responded to my complaint. The Chief of the Division no less. It is easy enough to cut the complaint text and put it in more then one complaint site. And, I have lots more details on my complaint on this site. Man, am I verbose. But basically it gets down to Integretel and other companies need to have some way of showing verifiable authorization. They can't just say you accepted the terms of an agreement without actually able to verify that you authorized it. That is like Systems Audit 101. But maybe they flunked that class. Anyhoo these are just some brainstorming ideas. If I am wrong on anything don't hit me over the head with a big fish or anything.
Dale
South San Francisco,California,
U.S.A.
Can someone track down the virus/malware?
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, June 01, 2005
Hey, a Half Moon Bay person, cool. I think it is great that you are a Director of Engineering. It would be great if some folks who are computer experts, who this has happened to, tries to track the hijack/virus/spyware/malware down. I have tried, but my back is not what it used to be. But it is also great mentioning your expertise and position in your complaints. This gives them more credibility. Also, including any other details that gives your complaint credibility helps. If you are a computer expert or even a computer hobbyist try to get the following information after you get hijacked. Post any details that are not confidential here and/or include in your complaint to the authorities: 1. Look in your system events to find the event at the time of the call. It should be at the same time as the call billed on your phone bill, except Integretel did admit to me that I was billed at the incorrect time. I was billed after midnight when actually the call occurred after six PM. Note if there is a differenc between actual time call occurred in system events and billed time. This might be important if the time is different. Anyhow the event might have a reference to TIBSYSTEMS, one of the hacked dialers used. 2. Look at web sites you might have been looking at the day of the hijacking. See if you can find the site that loaded the virus/malware/spyware. But of course only do this if you know how to do it safely. If you are not careful you could get a virus again, which no one wants. 3. Can anyone isolate the virus/malware? You would have to be pretty knowledgeable to do this safely, but someone must be able to do it. But the only ones that should do it are ones who know what they are doing safely. I can't emphasise that enough. 4. Examine and save your logs from your virus and spyware cleaners. These might be needed by law enforcement authorities in the future. If anything looks related to the hijack note it in the complaint. Also, if you are in California post a complaint with the Attorney General. Since Integretel exists in California and if you do too then they have jurisdiction, I think. Also file reports with the FCC, too. They have actually responded to my complaint. The Chief of the Division no less. It is easy enough to cut the complaint text and put it in more then one complaint site. And, I have lots more details on my complaint on this site. Man, am I verbose. But basically it gets down to Integretel and other companies need to have some way of showing verifiable authorization. They can't just say you accepted the terms of an agreement without actually able to verify that you authorized it. That is like Systems Audit 101. But maybe they flunked that class. Anyhoo these are just some brainstorming ideas. If I am wrong on anything don't hit me over the head with a big fish or anything.
