Someone allegedly masquerading as a BT engineer has leaked confidential information about a new ISP on the Internet. The private phone numbers, ISDN lines and freephone POP (Points of Presence) number were reportedly posted on newsgroups earlier today by someone calling themselves "An [sic] BT Engineer". The posting also contained details of the number of lines operated by the company. Tom Defty, MD of City Connections, confirmed the numbers were his but dismissed allegations that the confidential information was published by a BT engineer. He was unable to suggest an alternative source of the leak. "This is private information," he said. "This information should never have got out." "It's not life threatening, but it is a nuisance," he said. For security reasons Defty wouldn't confirm or deny whether the 0800 number published was one of City Connections' freephone POP numbers. But he did warn anyone who might have seen the posting not to try and access the Net using it. "I'm going to speak to BT and any unauthorised calls (to the freephone number) will be charged at the national rate," he said. "No one will get connected who shouldn't," he said. Although the incident is unfortunate, Defty said it would not delay the launch of the new ISP on 1 December. A spokesman for BT said the information was so vague it was impossible to comment on the allegations. ®