BEWARE OF PHONE SCAM
Date: Thursday, April 09, 1998 9:24 AM
Please pass on to all of your employees, friends and family... I received a telephone call from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service Technician that was running a test on our telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine (9), zero (0), pound sign (#) and hang up. Luckily, I was suspicious and refused. Upon contacting the telephone company we were informed that by pushing 90# you end up giving the individual that called you access to your telephone line and allows them to place a long distance telephone call, with the charge appearing on your telephone bill. We were further informed that this scam has been originating from many of the local jails/prisons.
Please "pass the word".
Ron Spencer sent the above, and he later added the following:
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Editor: I called AT&T and found that this warning is legitimate, and I was told that if anyone calls by phone or internet claiming to be an AT&T representative and asks you to help them that it is a scam because AT&T (or any other phone company) doesn't need the customer's help to do their testing. They are equipped with high tech equipment to handle their problems. I was asked to add their e-mail address to this message in case you get one of these calls, you can report it to them. They are investigating this matter.
E-mail and report any scams to AT&T-- abuse@worldnet.att.net
rom: Schreiner <PSchreiner@atd.gmeds.com>
Date: Fri, 29
May 98 06:29:12 EST
To: steve@balaams-ass.com
Subject: Phone scam
Steve:
I received an email relating to the 9-0-# phone scam... I went looking on the internet to verify its authenticity...
One of the "hits" was your web site... (which was a pleasant surprise, and I will have to check it out further, from home)
I also checked AT&T's web site and found something that I thought you ought to know...
Excerpt from: http://www.att.com/features/0398/90pound.html
"The 9-0-# scam has been around for years and is directed at businesses, hospitals, government agencies and other organizations that use telephone switching equipment called private branch exchanges (PBXs) to handle their calls."
"Below are some points about this scam worth remembering.
* This scam doesn't affect residential customers; its target is businesses."
The email I received, and the information on your site seemed to imply that it could happen at home... just thought I'd let you know, so people would not become "panicked" (well, at least without a good reason)...
Editor: Steve Van Nattan-- I want to thank this person for doing the home work on this. I would like to hear if anyone was taken by this scam anywhere but at the office or work.
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