I got following by email, good to know about this scam
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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.
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A Proud Indian Canadian
Location: INDIA (sometimes Canada)
Posted on: 29-08-03 15:02:49
Dear Guru Jee,
We have understood your concern and agree also that there can be and is a telephone scam. But inIndia, we never heard/thought of it. It generates curusity in our minds. So kindly eloborate more on the subject and tell us in detail how does it works???
Also tell us other differeneces in Indian and Canadian telephone system..??
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Enjoy Happiness -- Happy from India
If you don't understand it, it is ok being in India. Don't try to learn so many things before coming here otherwise you will become konfuge 
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A Proud Indian Canadian
Phone system is same here as India - all phones are black, white, gray colored. They all have telephone cable attached with them. Some of their brothers are without cord but actually you need to attach telephone cord from wall jack. 
All phone have number keys from 0 to 9. Some phones have extra keys like # and * and redial. There are some phones with speaker.
Phone poles (and electrical poles) can be seen throughout North America even in big cities like New York and Toronto. They are not underground like we see in India.
The phone rings are same as in India. 
You don't have to say hello - kaun bol raha hai - after you making call
Phone bills are cheaper compare to India - about $40 basic rate with local calling free. Whatever calls you will make to Punjab you have to pay from your pocket.
All local number are 10 digit numbers like 416-999-9999.
Thants all my dear friend - anything else?
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Hurat Honani Murat!
Location: INDIA (sometimes Canada)
Posted on: 03-09-03 15:43:41
It is nice to know that they have same phones as in India. Other wise this Ulta-Pulta habit: right hand drive, Throw-up On switch, fountain like taps and 110 volt etc. etc. may prompt desi Indian to think that Canadian tel Handset has dialing numbers and Baseset has mic and speaker!!
It is also good that have only 0 -9 on the tal set. otherwise they may had 0 - 999 keys!! so that they press few keys 
to dial the number ... like <416> <239><634><006> for the number 416 239 6346. but be ware if canadian start using it as I'm in the process of appying for its patent...
Now serious.... In India we have Kundis to use neighbour's phone. and If anyone connect in parallel to our phone we will get to know at some time. But tell me what will they gain after you press 90#. In India even mobiles are secure till date. So, kindly also throw some light on mobile phones security in Canada.
As phone is a major expence for newcomer, you information will be really usefull..
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Enjoy Happiness -- Happy from India
so you got the message
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Hurat Honani Murat!
Quote:
Now serious.... In India we have Kundis to use neighbour's phone. and If anyone connect in parallel to our phone we will get to know at some time. But tell me what will they gain after you press 90#. In India even mobiles are secure till date. So, kindly also throw some light on mobile phones security in Canada.
That might be hoax!! You never know. I have not tried this myself and have not experience somebody trying on our phone so difficult to say, but in North America, these kind of scams are very common and usual.
Do you know that sometimes people find out a way to call to India free?? They just go to public phone dial certain number and then GO ..... You can talk to India for hours and hours.
So this might be true. Technically speaking this is possible to transfer control to another person.
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A Proud Indian Canadian
