Query mobile phone hoax ?

[The Nr Fairy]

I'm trying to find out whether this is a hoax - any helpers out there ?

I got a Neighbourhood Watch newsletter recently which said that there was a mobile phone scam which goes along the lines of receiving an SMS saying "Text #90" to a number. Apparently the original texter can gain access to your details and run up bills on your phone.

Google search, Vodafone site search, and other hasn't come up with anything. Sending a text from my missus phone to mine, then replying with "#90" did nothing, except send a text with "#90" in it.

Yours, confused of Wiltshire.

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

The Nr Fairy,

It sounds like a variation on the phone scam for phone systems. What the scammers do is say they are from the Telephone Company and are testing your lines. They then ask you to hit Transfer 9 and hang up. What that does is give the caller (who is usually calling in on that companies free number) an outside line which they use to call all over the world. (Usually they are at a pay phone and are selling cheap long distance service to poor immigrants.)

It might be the following scam they are warning you about:

90#:- If anyone calls for any reason and asks you to press 90# - HANG UP. This combination transfers use of your line to the caller in some instances. This allows them to call long distance at your expense.

Here is a list of Telephone scams (http://www.aatld.com/scams.htm)

Take Care,

Richard

[stagger]

For UK mobiles - it's a hoax....

http://homepages.tesco.net/~J.deBoynePollard/FGA/please-do-not-perpetuate-the-9-0-hash-hoax.html

[The Nr Fairy]

Sooper dooper - thanks people.