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Telephone hackers target GPs

By Ian Quinn

The BMA has warned gangs of telephone hackers are leaving GPs with bills running into thousands of pounds, by preying on vulnerable new practice telephone systems.

It follows a spate of incidents in which hackers have been able to tap into practices using weekend re-direction services, which allow them to call premium rate numbers to run up massive charges, which GPs are then responsible for.

Dr Grant Ingrams, chair of the GPC IT sub committee, said: ‘This is a problem for GPs with new-style telephone systems rather than those on old exchanges. Those that are getting caught out are finding themselves liable to pay.'

The BMA has warned practices to contact their system manufacturers to find out if they are vulnerable and to install a bar on premium rate numbers.

Dr Grant Ingrams