Scottish ISP, 08004u, shut down its 0800 access service last night after being overwhelmed by 22,000 Net users who gained unauthorised access to the unmetered service. It appears details of how to gain access to the service while bypassing the £49.99 a month were circulated on newsgroups giving some Net the opportunity to run amok at the ISP's expense. 08004u took the nuclear option when it became clear that those Net users who had subscribed simply couldn't get onto the service. A spokesman for 08004u said the service would be up and running again at the weekend although he added that its 0845 local call rate service was unaffected. In the meantime, 08004u is busy snail-mailing new dial-up details to its 0800 users. Apparently, each subscriber is to be issued with their own distinct 0800 number. Really, that's what he said. And anyone found guilty of passing on these personalised details will be liable to pay the cost of any unauthorised access gained elsewhere. Asked about the 22,000 people, who were effectively thieving from 08004u, he spokesman said: "There's not a great deal we can do." He wouldn't be drawn on whether those people who leaked the details in the first place will also be hounded for the outstanding money. ® See also: 08004u shrugs off legal action 08004u MD coughs up to poor service 08004u publishes customer records by mistake