for the Europeons of IP

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

Date: 14 Dec 93 02:02:48 EST
From: Alfredo E. Cotroneo <100020.1013 () CompuServe COM>
Subject: International Internet Association




This is warning for possible fraud involving "free" Internet access
offered to European users by IIA (International Internet Association).


Potential users of Internet and e-mail services in Europe have been
contacted by an alleged non profit organization denominated
"International Internet Associaton (IIA)" based in Washington, DC,
USA, promoting free access to Internet sponsored with funds provided
by the US Administration.  A few days later expressing interest in
IIA's "free" service, companies in Europe were told by IIA that
"International Discount Telecommunication Corp. (IDT)" would contact
them for details on how to connect to the "free" Internet service.


IDT, based in Hackensack, NJ, is a Telecommunication (phone) services
provider, which basically provide a US dial-tone service to customers
outside the USA, giving them access to the US phone networks at
tariffs slighlty higher that the ones normally offered by AT&T, but
cheaper than the ones offered by most European national PTTs. The
invitation to sign a contract with IDT to get access to IIA "free
Internet" must be carefully evaluated by potential users of Internet
in Europe, because even at the discounted phone rates offered by IDT,
Internet access will be quite expensive. There are -- depending on the
particular usage of Internet by the individual companies in Europe --
much cheaper alternatives to be considered.


To the profane, all this is a clear indication that everyone must be
very careful when a service is offered for free. Especially when free
services are offered by a non-profit organization in the US which seem
to have very close ties with a commercial company. Furthermore: IDT
does not indicate clearly the phone tariffs in their contract form,
they ask for a credit card number to activate the service, and they
only indicate that the "users will be billed directly by the American
carriers (???WHO ARE THEY???) at their lowest rate", which one is not
shown. No access to Internet is being offered apparently by IIA
without signing a contract with IDT.


Unfortunately this warning will not reach Europeans in need of an
Internet access, since they would not probably be connected yet to
read this message.




Alfredo E. Cotroneo, PO BOX 10980, I-20110 Milano Italy
email: 100020.1013 () compuserve com