Post by T. Wedd on Jul 8, 2003 2:16:35 GMT -5
A brief note in a local newspaper the other day told the story of a simple but effective scam to draw money out of public institutions.
A couple in southern Sweden set up a "singles hot-line" service using a 071x-number (our equiv. of the 1-900-numbers in the US where the Telco and the called party split the charges paid by the caller).
Apparently, the income from this hot-line was not enough to satisfy them so they decided to increase revenue in a simple but effective fashion. They went all around town to libraries and other public buildings, looking for phone extensions that were not too closely
guarded. They'd then pick up the receiver, call the hot-line number and leave the phone with the receiver off-hook. One extension in a library was reported as having been connected to the hot-line for over a week!
At a cost of $4.95/minute, this came as quite a shock to the people in charge of economy at the library when the bills arrived, some months later.
Another method is to dress up as a courier complete with parcell and clip-board. Go to large offices buildings with your parcel for "Mr. Smith". When the secretary informs you that they don't know of the person, tell them you definately have the right address on the form. Then ask if you can ring your boss to confirm the details.
Ring your 1900 line and pretend to speak with your boss for 5-10 mins.
Each location will yield you $25-50 for an easy 15 minutes "work"
A couple in southern Sweden set up a "singles hot-line" service using a 071x-number (our equiv. of the 1-900-numbers in the US where the Telco and the called party split the charges paid by the caller).
Apparently, the income from this hot-line was not enough to satisfy them so they decided to increase revenue in a simple but effective fashion. They went all around town to libraries and other public buildings, looking for phone extensions that were not too closely
guarded. They'd then pick up the receiver, call the hot-line number and leave the phone with the receiver off-hook. One extension in a library was reported as having been connected to the hot-line for over a week!
At a cost of $4.95/minute, this came as quite a shock to the people in charge of economy at the library when the bills arrived, some months later.
Another method is to dress up as a courier complete with parcell and clip-board. Go to large offices buildings with your parcel for "Mr. Smith". When the secretary informs you that they don't know of the person, tell them you definately have the right address on the form. Then ask if you can ring your boss to confirm the details.
Ring your 1900 line and pretend to speak with your boss for 5-10 mins.
Each location will yield you $25-50 for an easy 15 minutes "work"