Operators of rogue dialler services that rack up large bills for unwary net users are changing the way they rip off consumers.

Instead of using premium rate numbers that charge up to £1.50 a minute to defraud innocent punters, they're now turning to international numbers to ring up profits and dodge detection.

And in recent weeks it's emerged that rogue diallers have been using 0871 numbers to con consumers as well. Although these cost net users around 10p a minute, they can still rack up hefty charges over a long period of time.

It's too early to say how widespread the scam is, but over the last three or four weeks communications regulator Ofcom has begun receiving five or six complaints a week about the 0871 rogue dialler scams.

BT has also acknowledged that it's also recently been made aware of 0871 dialler scams.

The acknowledgement from Ofcom and BT confirms reports from industry insiders that the menace of rogue diallers - which have hit ten of thousands of people in the UK - is changing.

One insider told us: "These calls generate lower volumes for rogue dialler operators but are harder to detect."

The UK's Citizens Advice (CAB) has warned net users to be on the guard against "shocking" rogue dialler scams after reporting that more and more people are seeking help and advice after being scammed. ®

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