Hoax: 90# Turns Your Telephone Over to Someone Else Email Hoax

90# Turns your telephone over to someone else

You have to REALLY want to believe in UFO's, Crop Circles and conspiracy theories to believe that the phone company is smart enough to pull this off. It is and they don't.

Here are the several variations of the email - Remember it is a FAKE:

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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 we should touch nine (9), zero (0), pound sign (#) and hang up. Luckily, we were 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 call. We were further informed that this scam has been originating from many of the local jails/prisons. I have verified with UCB Telecomm. that this actually happens. Please beware.

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It is virtually impossible for this method to work on the average residential or cell
phone customer. In theory, it can work on PBX systems (such as in a hotel or business where you have to press '9' to obtain an outside line, which connects the scammer to an outside line, from which
he can run up significant charges. But even so, in most cases, the only result you'll obtain from trying this is likely to be a fast busy signal. An obviously, residences don't have multi-line PBX systems!  So, if you don't have to dial 9 to get an outside dial tone at home, then you needn't worry about this!

And if you want to see the humorous side of hoax emails, read the spoof of the bubble-boy scams.