Written question asked by Brian Binley (Conservative) on Thursday, 24 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 November 2005. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 November 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Rogue Dialling

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to protect consumers from the telecommunications fraud known as rogue dialling; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Protection has been put in place to deal with the annoying activity of rogue dialling but it is not simple. Since August 2004 the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) has operated a prior permission scheme for premium rate diallers. This has been at the least of discouraging rogue dialling and it has greatly reduced the incidence of rogue dialling. The independent regulator for electronic communications, the Office of Communications, is currently consulting on extending this scheme to enable ICSTIS to take action against any rogue dialler irrespective of the telephone number or call charge used. We are increasing the maximum fine for breaching the independent regulator ICSTIS' code of practice from £100,000 to £250,000, in order to deter rogue diallers.

Secondary information