Internet Alert with Adult Websites

[jerseydevil]

I got an AT&T bill in today warning that some international adult websites could cause you to be billed international phone rates. I was thinking this was impossible - because the phone companies have NO idea what sites you go into. So I went into the URL it gave... http://www.consumer.att.com/consumertips/adult.html After reading what they said - I discovered it is VERY possible and that it doesn't require your phone company to know anything about what you are looking at.

This is what it says and I thought it would be important to warn people - because it can be activated through spam too...

Accessing some adult entertainment web sites may trigger international long distance charges on your telephone bill. What happens is this: Someone in your home using the computer visits various web sites where adult entertainment advertisements appear. Or, they may receive a spam email message with an invitation to access a "free" web site. In some cases, free software can be downloaded to the computer that allows access to adult web sites without the use of a credit card. Once the software is downloaded, a pop-up window appears with a long disclaimer specifically stating that the modem connection to your local Internet service provider will be disconnected and an international long distance call to another country will be established. Some disclaimers provide a range of rates and state that charges for an international call will appear on the consumer’s telephone bill. Some disclaimers also require visitors to the site to affirm that they are 18 years of age....more

With all the spam out there and so much of it's true character being hidden - it is possible for someone to think they are downloading something that isn't what it seems. It seems like people should know not to download or access anything from anyone they don't know, but with mail viruses that make the recipient think they know the person - I thought this was serious enough to warn people.