90# on the telephone

[Whizbang]

This certainly is not funny, but I thought you might want to pass it on, if you were not aware of this scam.  My son was hit but was suspicious,  and refused to fall for it.  He wrote this letter to me.
-------------------------------------

                             

90# on the telephone

              I received a telephone call last  evening from an
              individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service
              technician  who was conducting a test on telephone
              lines. He stated that to complete the  test I should
              touch nine(9), zero(0), the pound sign (#), and then
              hang up.

              Luckily, I was suspicious and refused.

              Upon  contacting the telephone company, I was
              informed that by pushing 90#, you give  the requesting
              individual full access to your telephone line, which
              enables them  to place long distance calls billed to
              your home phone number.

              I was  further informed that this scam has been
              originating from many local  jails/prisons. I have also
              verified this information with UCB Telecom,Pacific
               Bell, MCI, Bell Atlantic and GTE. Please beware.

              DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE.

             

[Bill]

Thanks, Whiz.  Useful information.

Bill

[Ace]

From my search it appears to NOT affect home phone usage; risk could be to some businesses with PBX based.

http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/90pound.html
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/n/ninezeropound.htm


Ace; don't call me I'll call you.

[Whizbang]

Interesting article.  I don't know if AT&T's assessment is thorough or not.  I deleted the rest of my son's letter that included his checking with a half dozen phone companies in the Ft. Worth area that all responded with the same answer that their connections were vulnerable to that "trick."  Whether this is just an over-blown fear or a distinct reality, I still will not comply to any such request on the phone.

[Ace]

For real... anyone calls me and says "do this" I'd probably react the same as if someone on the street said "hey, why don't you see if you can ____" or an email saying "respond to this, here."  Or a pop up with a "click here to download.."  Better to err on the side of caution.

Ace; scam artists aren't real artists.