Telstra scam warning!

[spacemonkey]

Hey there, just cross posting this from another website I run admin on....
Apparently there is a scam going on if you have a Telstra home phone line.

Just a heads up for you all.
Not entirely sure if this is for real or not but here is what was posted by a fairly respectable and senior board member.

I got a call last night from an individual identifying himself as a Telstra Service technician who was conducting a test on our Telephone lines.
He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine (9), zero (0), hash (#) and then hang up.

Luckily, I was suspicious and refused.

Upon contacting the Telstra, I was informed that........
by pushing 90#, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line.

This allows this person to place long distance telephone calls billed to your home phone number.
I was further informed that this scam has been originating from many of the local gaols/prisons.

DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE. PLEASE pass this on to your friends. If you have mailing lists and/or newsletters from organizations you are connected with, I encourage you to pass this on

[Usarka]

Dude you shouldn't have typed nine-zero-hash into a vbulletin forum, hackers will be into your PC as we speak!

[Virago]

Bollocks...

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/nine-zero-hash-hoax.html

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/jailcall.asp

[spacemonkey]

Bollocks...

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/nine-zero-hash-hoax.html

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/jailcall.asp

Aha!!!!
Thanks for that... time to go kick the munter into touch.

[JMemonic]

Huh? I can see how that would function with some PABX systems but surely not the telco hardware and if it does function like that why are they not issuing a general warning to customers after all even if Joe average or nana Bloggs do this with out a general warning the onus would lay with them for the cost of the calls.

[Insanity_rules]

This old chestnut, I love urban legends.

[pzkpfw]

This old chestnut, I love urban legends.

Chestnuts are an urban legend.

I've never ever picked on eof the ground that was worth eating (raw toasted or whatever). And every time I try to buy a bag from somewhere, they are 90% inedible. The other 10% taste like acorns.