- Q: I received a bill from my long distance carrier for "VIDOPRTY.COM".
A: Someone at your location connected to Alyon’s electronic gateway to access and view web content which is “pay-per-view” in nature. That is, there are charges for the time spent viewing the entertainment service or content. Prior to gaining access, that person had to first accept the Disclaimer and Terms of Service which specify that the connection to the ISP will be terminated, and the modem will then dial a 900 Premium number. In addition, it specifies the per minute rate which will be charged. Only after agreeing to the Terms of Service can the connection be made. Charges relating to the entertainment service or content are billed to the party responsible for the phone line. Whether that person directly used the service or someone in their household used the service, the bill will come to the attention of the person responsible for the phone line.
- Q: How was the call made?
A: A computer at your location was logged onto the internet, where a site was visited. In order to view the entertainment content or service on the site, a disclaimer and terms and conditions was displayed and had to be accepted PRIOR to making a connection to Alyon’s electronic gateway (through which access to the entertainment service/content is granted and the time connected is tracked). Accepting the Terms of Service allowed a dialer software program to be downloaded to the computer. This software disconnected the computer from the then current internet connection and then connected to Alyon’s electronic gateway by use of a 900 number. Once connected, the line subscriber information was verified, and access to the entertainment service/content was granted. Throughout the call, the time connected to the entertainment service/content was tracked and a charge was generated.
- Q: The phone bill comes in my name, but I never used this service.
A: When a call connects to Alyon’s electronic gateway, we have the ability to determine the originating telephone number, method & date of connection , as well as the ability to track the time connected. The tracked information indicates that the phone number listed on the bill connected to the Entertainment Service/Content on X date at Y time. Since the connection was made via telephone line, the bill is generated in the name of the person responsible for that telephone line. The methods of tracking are precise and accurate using the latest telecommunications technology. Moreover, prior to any connection or subsequent access which was granted, the charges and method of connection to the entertainment service/content were fully disclosed.
- Q: What if I don’t even have a computer?
A: In order to connect to Alyon’s electronic gateway, the Disclaimer and Terms of Service must first be accepted. To do this requires a computer. Connection to the Entertainment Service/Content can only happen once the dialer software is downloaded. Downloading the dialer software also requires a computer, whether desktop or portable/laptop. A computer is needed in order to, and for the entire time of, access (to) the entertainment service/content. Given the prevalence of laptop computers, it is understandable that you may not have a permanent computer in your home.
- Q: What if someone in my house accidentally dialed your 900 service number?
A: If someone in your home dialed the number accidentally by picking up a telephone handset and dialing, they would have heard loud computer faxtones and likely would have immediately hung up. Even if they did not hang up, the call would have been terminated since the connection to the electronic gateway could not have been completed. Only after successfully connecting through the electronic gateway can a bill be produced. This requires a computer, whether desktop or portable/laptop.
- Q: What was the specific Entertainment Service/Content?
A: The type of Entertainment Service/Content is indicated on your bill from your phone carrier. In Canada, the service we are billing for is Video Party, an on line chat service.
- Q: I was not even home, no one was.
A: Our systems have verified, using the latest telecommunications hardware and software that the phone number listed on the bill was used to make the connection to the Entertainment Service/Content. Someone at your location must have been in your home and used the telephone line to connect to the Entertainment Service/Content. As a result, the charge is sent to the party responsible for that phone line and related phone usage charges whether or not that party specifically initiated the connection by accepting the Terms of Service. If you are absolutely sure no one was home, you may wish to report unauthorized use to your local law enforcement office. Since the access and charges are verified using accepted telecommunications technology, the bill itself is valid.
- Q: My husband and I live alone, we are X years old and do not even access these types of services.
A: Our systems have verified, using the latest telecommunications hardware and software that the phone number listed on the bill was used to make the connection to the Entertainment Service/Content. Someone at your location must have used the telephone line to connect to the Entertainment Service/Content. As a result, the bill is sent to the party responsible for that phone line and related phone usage charges whether or not that party specifically initiated the connection by accepting the Terms of Service. Since the access and charges are verified using accepted telecommunications technology, the charge itself is valid. However, you may wish to dispute the charges via our Customer Service number, +1-866-298-3761.
- Q: Someone other than me (relative, friend or neighbor) was over and they must have accessed the service/content with my computer
A: Like any other use of your telephone line, the person responsible for the phone line is the person responsible for the phone usage and related charges, whether those charges were made by that person or someone else. It is likely that the person who used the phone was allowed to use the phone, and as a result it is fair that you (as the person responsible for the phone charges) are responsible.
- Q: My minor child obtained access to the site.
A: The service which was accessed is not intended for minors. Alyon strongly supports the use of controls on your PC which block service which are not intended for minors. There are several programs available - click on the following links to see just a few: www.NetNanny.com , www.CyberPatrol.com , www.CyberSitter.com. Alyon employs several safeguards to safeguard against unintentional connections including provisions to disconnect the user after a short amount of inactivity. Nevertheless, if you wish to dispute the charges based on the claim of usage by a minor, you may do so. Alyon will review your dispute, and determine if a credit is due, based solely on the merits of the dispute. No guarantees or minimum credits are offered. Ultimately, it is the parent or guardian's responsibility to supervise and govern their child's use of the computer. No software available today can replace the role of the parent - the use of parental control software should never be considered a substitute for parental supervision. Please do your part to protect the use of your computer by others.
- Q: How do I block my phone number?
A: You can notify Bell Canada, Telus, Aliant Telecom or whoever your appropriate carrier is and request that all 900 numbers be blocked on one or all of your phone lines.
- Q: Who is Alyon Technologies?
A: Alyon Technologies is a billing service company which handles the calculation of the charges you received. Alyon tracks the origination and destination of the call or connection, and applies the appropriate charges. They do not own or control the website(s) related to the charges; they only provide a means to charge for the entertainment service/content.
- Q: What if my husband/wife denies that they did this?
A: The charges listed on the bill have been verified as accurate. Before any charge can be created, a strict validation process is completed. In a way similar to your gas bill, you can say that you didn’t raise the heat, but the gas company nonetheless tracks your usage and bills accordingly. Alyon, like the gas company, tracks the usage by first identifying the source of the call, in this case, your home telephone number which is received by a telecommunications switch. Alyon then tracks the call made from that number (the call being the connection of the computer to Alyon’s electronic gateway). The last part is simply tracking the time of connection. This information (originating number, time connected) is matched with the charge corresponding to the number dialed so that the charge can be calculated and a bill generated by your phone service provider.
- Q: What are the terms that I agreed to?
A: Click here to view the Disclaimer (PDF file) in English or Disclaimer (PDF file) in French. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Q: I can't view the Disclaimer. What's wrong?
A: You need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view any PDF file listed in this FAQ. Click here to download the PDF Reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader .Once on the page, select Step 1, then Step 3
- Q: With regards to "SPAMMING":
A: Alyon Technologies, Inc. is a billing service provider that does not produce, promote or distribute content. We do not participate nor encourage spamming on line. In fact, we strongly suggest that you visit one of the following links to obtain an anti-spamming software program. For MSN/Hotmail users: McAfee.com SpamKiller, for AOL users go to Keyword and type "Scams & Spamms".
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