Phone scammers trick you into paying their long-distance bills

LISTEN UP: If anyone calls claiming to be a tech for a phone company, don’t fall for it. The newest scam involves creeps who trick you into letting them make calls on YOUR dime — and apparently it’s originating from local jails and prisons.

Jerry DeMarco

02/13/2011 4:54 p.m.

The consumer warning already is posted on snopes.com, the clearinghouse of all things bogus, and comes to CLIFFVIEW PILOT courtesy of Joseph Occhipinti, founder and executive director of the National Police Defense Foundation in Morganville.

Here’s how it works: Someone calls claiming to be a phone company technician conducting a test on telephone lines. He tells you to press nine (9), zero (0) and the pound sign (#) on your phone and then hang up.

DON’T.

According to several phone companies, by pushing 9-0-#, you give the caller FULL ACCESS to your telephone line. This allows the caller to make long distance calls billed to YOU.

Apparently, the scam is pulled mostly by prisoners and inmates who get their hands on cell phones.

If you’re going to hit any keys, it should be to pass this article on, so that others may know.

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