what will they thinkof next?

CLASSICS

although not coin related, i wanted to share this with everyone. i received a telephone call from an individual identifying himself as a.... a t and t service technician, who was conducting a test on telephones lines....he stated that to complete a telephone test i should ....press 9, and then zero, and then the # sign,....and then hang up......something about this didnt sound right to me , and this so-called person ,and i refused.and hung up on him. upon contacting the telephone company, i was informed that by doing what he told me... you give the requesting individual ...full access.... to your telephone line which enables them to place long distant phone calls that are billed to your home phone number......i was futher informed that this is a scam and has been originating from many jails and prisons....i have also verified this information with the ..ubc telecom, pacific bell, mci, bell atlantic, and gte. and verizon. , so if anyone ask you.....do not press 90# for anyone. try and share this information with your family, and friends....geee what will they think of next?....... ron

airplanenut

Good warning! Thanks!

tjkillian

A very common scam. They often do it to folks at work. A sad world.

Tom

ClausUrch

What I'm wondering is why is it even possible to do this and why you must not specifically request this service from your phone company in order to activate such a feature. Seems to me if one gets hoodwinked for a service not requested then (What use to be ) "MA Bell" should take care of the charge.

wayneherndon

I've heard of that several times too. My understanding is it only works at work, school or other locations where you have to dial a 9 to get an outside line.

WH

Bikingnut

This scam has been arounsd a while. I first heard about it in 98.

Conder101

That little urban legend has been around for a long time. As part of my job at the hospital I handle the switchboard and every six months to a year that little gem of a warning comes around from various sources. I asked the local phone company technician who handles all the repairs and updates on our phone system if there was any truth to it and he says that it's nonsense.

ClarkOfKent

Whenever I come across something like this, I look it up on Snopes.com. They're usually up on all scams and urban legends.
Here's a couple of links related to 90# thing:
Linkification #1
Linkification #2

LucyBop

If anyone gets a strange call from a lady requesting a Franklin' half, it's a totaly legitt cause and please send one shiny Frankie!

Petescorner

Thanks for the snopes link, Clark.

Here was my favorite line from it:

If a caller's story sounds fishy, hang up. Either that, or ask them whether they get conjugal visits or if anyone got shivved in the shower today. Even if it is a real phone company employee, it'll be good fun.


edited to tidy up quote

CLASSICS

<< <i>Whenever I come across something like this, I look it up on Snopes.com. They're usually up on all scams and urban legends.
Here's a couple of links related to 90# thing:
Linkification #1
Linkification #2 >>

.........clark, thanks for the links...ron