Calling all computer experts...

[cdrn1]

Okay. So today, the bill comes for my landline. It's $40 more than normal, and there's a number that keeps showing up that I don't recognize. After ascertaining that my husband is not having an affair, calling the number myself, (it sounded like a fax), and trying reverse lookup, I give up and call my phone company. I talked to six different non-helpful people, the last two of which told me my computer is calling this number. I have cable internet. They tell me to call my ISP provider. My ISP provider is able to tell me that the number is an access number for an ISP provider called Dandynet, that I have never heard of. They also tell me that if my computer is not connected to a phone line, it is not calling this number. They suggested I call Dandynet and see if they can figure out what the deal is. Dandynet isn't available until Monday.
In the meantime, I have told my phone company I won't pay for all these calls and some punk kid told me that's fine, "we'll just sent it to collections".
Any likely scenarios for what's going on, and any suggestions on what I should do? This has apparently been going on for four months and I just now noticed (past phone bills have not been out of line so I guess I didn't pay attention).

 

[N.Bailey]

Wow, I can't offer any suggestions other than to say that you need to ask for a supervisor when you're dealing with the phone company. IMO, that's the only one who can help you. I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time with them.

I too had a problem dealing with the phone company at one time and know it's not always pleasant. We tried to cancel a particular service with them, and after about 5 or 6 months of still being billed for it and calling every month to cancel (hubby was still paying for some unknown reason to me when they'd bill us), I absolutely refused to pay another dime for it. Prior to that however, he allowed them to draft (what we thought would be the final payment) from my bank account. They of course had no proof we'd paid it (keep in mind, this was 3 or more months after we initially said we wanted it canceled anyway). I told them they drafted the money and that I didn't send a check. They insisted I had to PROVE it. I finally told them I would not send them another dime and I would pay for my bank to give me verification that the payment had been made. Then the guy said and I quote, "Lady, this isn't a lonely hearts club number, you will either prove you paid the money, or we'll see you in court." Then he hung up.

I never paid the money, and they never took me to court or billed me again.

Good Luck!

 

[Tina]

Since you are using cable internet, do you even have a phone line plugged into your computer's regular modem? If not, there is no way your computer could have dialed the number. If you do have one plugged in, unplug it.

 

[N.Bailey]

Since you are using cable internet, do you even have a phone line plugged into your computer's regular modem? If not, there is no way your computer could have dialed the number. If you do have one plugged in, unplug it.

She said she didn't in her post and the cable company even pointed that out to her. There is no way her computer dialed that number!

 

[cdrn1]

Since you are using cable internet, do you even have a phone line plugged into your computer's regular modem? If not, there is no way your computer could have dialed the number. If you do have one plugged in, unplug it.

No phone line plugged in. That's one of the reasons I am so frustrated with my phone company. They INSIST it's my computer. One tech said it was possible there was a crossed connection somewhere and sent me to a different department representative who told me "that's not my department" and sent me back to customer service and a brand new tech and I had to start all over!

 

[MNmom2]

My sister had something like this happen to her. Her ds had gone to a porn site unbeknownst to them and it downloaded a 'dialer' onto their computer and it would dial onto some long distnace number without their knowledge whether or not they were online.

 

[jfulcer]

Dandynet has a 24/7 Tech support line.

http://www.dandy.net/24_7_techsupport.htm

Call that number and ask them if they can track your calls.

 

[adamak]

Virus scan your PC, and run Ad-aware to see if there is adware or spamware on your machine. Then call Dandynet to track it. Also install Firewall (e.g. ZoneAlarm provides one for free). The firewall will ask you for authorization on any outgoing dialing and pinging. This should block all outgoing calls until you fix your current bill.

 

[N.Bailey]

My sister had something like this happen to her. Her ds had gone to a porn site unbeknownst to them and it downloaded a 'dialer' onto their computer and it would dial onto some long distnace number without their knowledge whether or not they were online.

It can't dial the number if it's not hooked up to a land line though.

 

[Aidensmom]

Your phone company is in the wrong. I have had long distance charges on my bill before two or three times, and always using some long distance company I have never heard of. You have to actually call THAT company if that is the case with you. And the first thing they will ask is if your computer dialed it. As if there are no other long distance scams out there (and there are). Tell them you did not make the calls and are not paying, and ask to speak to a supervisor (and up on the line if necessary) until someone credits the calls.

 

[Tina]

ITA. If you're computer is not attached to a phone line, these calls were not made by your computer and the phone company is wrong. Fight it.