evans@shuksan.UUCP (Gary Evans) (04/01/88)
*** *** *** Reprinted without permission from The Seattle Times, Wednesday, March 16,1988 ............................................................................ U.S. Sprint blames 'toll fraud' for erroneous telephone bills Shelby Gilje - Times staff columnist You've heard of computer viruses, those mischievous little programs created by hackers that make computers do wild and crazy things? Well, according to U.S. Sprint Communications Co., "toll fraud," or a computer virus caused by hackers, was responsible for errors on the phone bill for J.F. of Bothell. J.F. reported that she has had major billing problems with U.S. Sprint since May 1986, and was billed $146 for calls she had not made. Each time she complained, the company promised the error would be corrected. Finally, in August 1986, she discontinued service with U.S. Sprint. In September of that year she again received an incorrect billing statement along with a collection notice. She wrote U.S. Sprint again, and called the customer-service department. An operator checked and said her file would be placed on hold while the errors were investigated. However, the billing would continue. The opertor assured her that no extreme collection measures would be taken. In December 1986, she received a letter noting that her service had been disconnected and she still owed more than $140. Again she called the customer-service department, and again was assured that an investigation was in progress. In December 1987 she received a new bill showing the old balance as well as some new phone calls. "I have never heard of the city in which the new calls originated. This is outrageous! What happened to the 'investigation'? Has someone else been issued my old code?" J.F. wrote. Now U.S. Sprint has informed us that the erroneous bills have been removed from J.F.'s account, and that they were accumulated as a result of "toll fraud." U.S. Sprint said a computer hacker was accessing its network and, through trial and error, was discovering codes and using them illegally. "Ordinarily, U.S. Sprint attempts to determine who the individual was that abused the codes. This research is vital for verification of the abuse. The procedure can be very time consuming and sometimes procedures are not carried out in the most expeditious manner," Keith Marcom, a U.S Sprint representitive, wrote to J.F., apologizing for the delay in resolving her complaint. ...................................................................... Hum... Computer Virus? Sounds like a convenient excuse... Roger Swann uucp: uw-beaver!ssc-vax!clark As usual, I disavow any knowledge of my actions.