Re: Fw: scam

Ed Boyd (edboyd@ccpl.carr.lib.md.us)
Wed, 6 May 1998 08:16:06 -0400 

Although not a bird related issue, I believe this merits posting as a public
service announcement.

I was advised of this scam through an inter-office memo sometime ago at work
and can verify the validity of the claim. As a worker for the FAA, we were
informed of this scam because these callers have been dialing some
government agencies and catching employees unaware. They also advised us to
pass the word throughout our circle of family and friends. As the original
poster wrote, this is not a joke in the manner of the e-mail virus alerts.
The phone company does not need your help in any manner to test your phone
lines.

Ed Boyd
Finksburg, MD
<edboyd@ccpl.carr.lib.md.us>

-----Original Message-----
From: Arthur E. Richard <artrich@HCTC.NET>
To: BIRDCHAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU <BIRDCHAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
Date: Tuesday, May 05, 1998 1:15 PM
Subject: Fw: scam


>In spite of the fact that I am still gun shy from my notorious *Virus
>Warning* of some time ago, I really hate to see people get screwed,so here
>goes again :
>
>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^
>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >>From: Steven Pasternack <spastern@NMSU.Edu>
>
>
> Subject: IMPORTANT PHONE SERVICE INFORMATION
>
> 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.   This sounds like an Urban Legend - IT IS NOT!!!  I
>called GTE Security this morning and verified that this is definitely
possible
>and DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE. It will give them access to your phone
>line to make long distances calls ANYWHERE!!!!  The GTE Security department
>told me to go ahead and share this information with EVERYONE I KNOW!!!
>>
>> Could you PLEASE pass this on.  If you have mailing lists and/or
>newsletters from organizations you are connected with, I encourage you to
include
>this information.
>
><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
>Art Richard
>Ingram TX
>artrich@hctc.net
>>
>>
>