Phone Scam

[B'sgirl]

Got this in my email today from DH:

[FONT=&quot]Beware of AT&T service calls.[/FONT]

90# or #09 on your telephone

I dialed '0', to check this out, asked the operator, who confirmed that this was correct, so please pass the following information on.

(l also checked outSnopes.com..this is true, and also applies to cell phones!)

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# or #09, 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 and prisons

DO NOT press 90# or #09 for ANYONE.

The GTE Security Department requested that I share this information with EVERYONE I KNOW.

After checking with Verizon [FONT=&quot]they also said it was true, so do not dial 90# or #09 for anyone !!!!![/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]PLEASE HIT THAT FORWARD BUTTON AND PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!![/FONT]

 

[smoke king]

I've heard this as well, and now I know its true.

Thanks for sharing Michelle!

 

[Andy M.]

HERE is what Snopes actually said about this.

It has no impact on residential or cell phones at all. There is some vulnerability to commercial phone systems with a switchboard or where you have to dial "9" to gat an outside line.

 

[deelady]

Thats funny...because the last couple of days I have received a couple of calls on my ID from a phone company I have never heard of before "Teleperformance" so I didnt answer. Hmmmm I wonder, could this be it?

 

[QSis]

HERE is what Snopes actually said about this.

It has no impact on residential or cell phones at all. There is some vulnerability to commercial phone systems with a switchboard or where you have to dial "9" to gat an outside line.

It's well worth bookmarking the site that Andy has linked, for anyone who hasn't already done so.

Snopes is a great site and has de-bunked probably 98% of the scary chain emails I get from well-intended friends. Their research and explanations seem pretty thorough.

Lee

 

[B'sgirl]

Thanks for the clarification Andy.