OT: Phone scam

theboz11

I received a telephone call
last evening from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service technician (could also be TELUS) who was conducting a test on the 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 DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE.
After checking with Verizon they said it was true, so do not dial 90# for anyone!!!!!

hockeyfan9

Thanks for the heads up!!!!

theboz11

After further investigation, It may only be one company according to Snopes

Writersblock

Urban legend, only works on some older private company switchboard systems where you have to press 9 for an outside line and which use the # key to transfer a call. Even then it would have to be #90. If you did that then what you have done is transfered them to an outside operator on through your phone system and once there they can make long distance or international calls and it wiill be billed to your number. More modern systems do not use the # key to do a transfer, and it does not work on private phones or if you don't have a switchboard system.

This scam has been around for at least 15 to 20 years. I know we were warned about it 14 years ago when I started working at the hospital and took care of the switchboard. (We had one of the old vulnerable systems.) A simpler similar scam for hospitals was to call them up, tell them you are doctor so and so and that you need an outside line. Hospital operators handle such requests from doctors all day long. and there are so many doctors, many with foreign names that you do not recognize, that it is often easy to get caught in that scam.

wybrit

Like veeryone else nowadays, I use caller ID. If the number isn't one I recognize, it just gets unanswered and sent to voice mail. It's a pleasure not having to deal with scammers and unwanted solicitors, although sometimes if I'm in a bad mood I answer the phone anyway and give 'em the business!