“I received this message from a fellow military retiree in Vacaville, CA. PLEASE PASS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. I received a telephone call last evening from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service technician who was conducting a test on 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. I have also verified this information with UCB Telecom, Pacific Bell, MCI, Bell Atlantic and GTE. Please beware. DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE. The GTE Security Department requested that I share this information with EVERYONE I KNOW. PLEASE pass this on to everyone YOU know.”
—Hmmm. As soon as I read “PLEASE PASS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW,” my antennae go up. Anbyone heard of this? Is it the nonsense I think, or is there anything top it?
Actually, we were warned about this at work. It’s true, 90# does open the line so anyone can use YOUR number/line for long distance phone calls. I’d say it’s a legit email, just very badly worded.
It’s not “legit” unless “everyone you know” uses the same phone system you use at work, and if you use the particular type of telex system where it does work.
There are only a limited number of instances where it will work (it wouldn’t do anything where I work), and it never works for home customers (do you dial “9” to make a call?). There is a tiny drop of truth to it, but it’s essentially an urban legend.
Can someone explain how this would work? Assuming you’re on a PBX that supports the key sequence mentioned above, if the line is still open (i.e. with the perp) pressing the buttons won’t do anything except make noise. What the article (either here or on Snopes) doesn’t seem to mention is that you’d need to press the transfer button on your phone; or, if you’re using a standard 12 button, flash the hook, then dial the key sequence.
I’m also pretty sure that many states have a recording telling you that a call is coming from a prison and asking if you want to accept. I remember at my fraternity house getting a few calls like that. It was the same guy calling, but it was a wrong number, and I never figured out why he kept calling back.