Mobile phone scam and virus warning

[fred bolton]

I have received the folowing message beleived to originate from BT no doubt someone will know if this is genuine - Codders I guess

If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that, he or she is a company engineer, or telling that they're checking your mobile line, and you have to press # 90 or #09 or any other number. End this call immediately without pressing any numbers. There is a fraud company using a device that once you press #90 or #09 they can access your "SIM" card and make calls at your expense. Forward this message to as many friends as you can, to stop it.

All mobile users pay attention if you receive a phone call and your mobile phone displays (XALAN) on the screen don't answer the call, END THE CALL IMMEDIATELY, if you answer the call, your phone will be infected by a virus..

This virus will erase all IMEI and IMSI information from both your phone and your SIM card, which will make your phone unable to connect with the telephone network. You will have to buy a new phone. This information has been confirmed by both Motorola and Nokia.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS PIECE OF INFORMATION TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE A MOBILE.

[Charles]

http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/jailcall.asp

[codprawn]

Luckily virus threats to mobiles are very small - a few have been embedded in games etc and then turns on bluetooth and replicates that way - but of course you have to be near someone else using bluetooth.

I think the prob won't really be serious until we all start using long range wireless devices rather than exsisting cell type technology.

Unless of course more people start using the windows mobile type operating systems - what ever possessed me to get a phone with Windoze on it???