Note(1):  this message is copied from an e-mail

Note(2):  from another message--
about an alleged scam where people trick you into dialing "90#" 
which is supposed to give them control of your phone line. The 
warning is fake, however - it's an urban legend.  There is no 
risk in dialing "90#".

...asked if there's a virus involved, and there isn't.  The "90#" 
warning is not a virus, just a hoax.  Actually it's more along 
the lines of an urban legend than a hoax, since we think it 
originated back when some phones actually _were_ vulnerable 
to 90#, long long ago. 

The warning has been going around since, and unlike a virus 
which infects your computer (or a virus that infects your body) 
hoax warnings infect your _mind_, and then you pass them on 
to other people's minds by repeating the warnings. These 
warnings usually push your fear button so insistently that your 
B.S.-detection circuits don't kick in.   :^)

It's all pretty harmless, but whenever one of these emails looks 
too weird to be true, it's always a good idea to go to
www.google.com and look up words from the email along with 
the search word "hoax." 

--------------
Subject: #90 on the telephone

PASS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW

I received a telephone call last evening from an
individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service technician 
who was conducting a test on telephone lines.
He stated that to complete the test I should
touch nine(9), zero(0), the pound sign (#), and then hang up. 
Luckily, I was suspicious and refused.

Upon contacting the telephone company, I was informed
that by pushing 90#, you give the requesting 
individual full access to your telephone 
line, which enables them to place long distance 
calls billed to your home phone number.

I was further informed that this scam has been
originating from many local jails/prisons. I 
have also verified this information with UCB 
Telecom,Pacific Bell, MCI, Bell Atlantic and GTE.
Please beware.

DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE.

The GTE Security Department requested that I share
this information with EVERYONE I KNOW.

PLEASE pass this on to everyone YOU know. If you have
mailing lists and/or newsletters from organizations you 
are connected with, I encourage you to pass on 
this information to them.

After checking with Verizon they said it was true, so do 
not dial (9),zero(0), the pound sign # and hang up for anyone.