Canucks: 90# Bell Phone Scam?

[Mindfield]

Okay, so I get a forward today from the mother-in-law. Normally I don’t like forwards but I thought I’d read it. Lo and behold the following was attached:

@Forwarded Message

I got a call last night from an individual identifying himself as a BELL CANADA Service technician who was conducting a test on our 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 individual full access to your telephone line, which allows them to place long distance telephone calls and bills it to your phone number. I was further informed that this scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons. So, DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE! PLEASE pass this on to everyone you know. If you have a mailing lists and/or newsletters from organizations you are connected with, I encourage you to pass this on to them too.
Originated by
Peel Regional Police
P.C. Stephen Coppin
No. 42 Division
WEBMASTER
Toronto Police Service
242 Milner Ave.
M1S 5C4
416-808-423

(The phone number was cut off in the forward)

This sets off my BS detector. First of all, how can dialing 90# while you’re on the phone do anything but give the caller an earache? I can understand entering a dialing code while at a dialtone – there are plenty of those, but even then I can’t see how there would be any way whatsoever to so simply “give” someone complete access to your telephone line using ordinary consumer DTMF tones. Even linesmen have special units that emit DTMF frequencies that normal people don’t have access to.

So what’s the deal? Was this another bogus “forward me” E-Mail? Is the whole 90# “scam” as bogus as I think it is?

[Mindfield]

Gall dangit. I ought to learn to check Snopes for these things before I go and ask. Consider my own question answered.