Here, then, is a good example of how screwed up the telecoms industry is, here in the UK.

I got a note through from PhonePayPlus about their ‘emergency investigation’ into the practices of a company by the name of PremTel Limited.

Here’s the PhonePayPlus overview:

The service is charged at up to 50 pence per minute from landlines, and potentially considerably more from mobile phones. It is brought to the attention of consumers when they receive an email apparently from ‘Laptops Online Inc’ announcing “Order Received, Order Confirmed, Payment Authorised, Goods Dispatched.” The email provides an itemised invoice for a laptop costing approximately £500. Complainants consistently say they have not ordered any products or services from this company. The email encourages recipients to contact the “UK office,” alternatively described as their “24/7 Tech Support” team, via a ‘070′ prefixed number. PhonepayPlus has received 31 complaints regarding this service.

I await the PhonePayPlus emergency adjudication with interest.