Written question asked by Helen Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 July 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 July 2005. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Thursday, 14 July 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

I-dialling

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to increase consumer awareness of i-dialling scams.

Answer: By i-dialling I take it that the hon. Member means rogue Premium Rate diallers on the internet running up large bills for consumers. The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) regulates Premium Rate Services through its Code of Practice. Recommendation 10 of the Ofcom Review of Premium Rate Regulation encourages ICSTIS to develop its role in providing consumer information and to draw up a set of guidelines to govern its activities in this area. ICSTIS is currently finalising these guidelines following consultation and they are expected to be in place shortly. In addition the telecoms operators have been working hard to raise customer awareness of internet dialler scams and to ensure that customers are informed about how best to protect themselves. Advice is posted on BT's website at http://www.bt.com/premiumrates/ and on the websites of other companies.

Secondary information