New phone scam, don't dial 90# on your phone for anyone!?

Question

I dialed '0' and asked the operator who confirmed that this was correct
so please pass it on . . . (l also checked out Snopes.com ..this is true, and
also applies to cell phones!)

PASS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW

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.

No this is not a question, I thought it would be good way to get info out.

Chalmer C: You need to re-read what I wrote. It DOES affect land lines as well as cell phones, and not just business phones.

Oooops Chalmer C. sorry, I meant that for Daneil C. not you. Sorry :-\

Daniel C. I have more common sense than most people, and I did my research. Note the phone calls that were made. All I am doing is trying to help my fellow man, if you have a probelm with that, then you need to get a life. Sheeeesh

Answer 1

Thanks for the Info, luckily I am not a US resident but a lot of scams such as this one are going around all over the world. It pays to be careful and always check with your Phone company before doing anything.

Take Care

Answer 2

This scam does not aply to residential phones, and only to a very few PBX business systems. Look at
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/jailcall.asp
for the rest of the story.

Commonsensemom, you should really do some research before you try to spread these false rumors. Just because you saw it on the Internet, or one of your friends told you something, or more likely you read it in a mass produced spam mail does not make it true. You do not have common sense, you are simply being irresponsible.

Answer 3

as Johnny Carson used to say "i did not know that" God rest his soul. anyway thanks for the heads up! i'll pass the info. along.
p.s. am really getting tired of all these scams. you can never let your guard down.

Answer 4

Thanks for that information. I do not accept calls from anyone I don't know.