This week, I have received half a dozen phone messages on my answering machine. They feature a recorded voice telling me that the call is coming from “a federal correctional institution”. The voice goes on to say that the cost is $2.85 for the first minute, 30 cents for each additional minute. And that if I wish to decline the call, I should hang up; if I wish to to accept, I should press"1" now. The message ends immediately after this. (I have never been at home when any of the calls came).
A colleague of mine said he had heard about a hacking scam whereby prisoners “phreak” someone’s phone and make long-distance calls from it remotely.
Has anyone heard of such an attack? I’m an engineer with a telecomms degree, so I’m familiar with the general concept of phreaking. I am just interested in knowing if this specific MO has been seen recently.
Alternatively, it might be someone trying to contact me from a federal prison. If so, I have no interest in responding.
I plan to check the next phone bill for any fake charges. Any additional advice is appreciated.