I received a telephone call 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 jails/prisons.

I have also verified this information with UCB Telecom, Pacific Bell, MCI, Bell Atlantic and GTE. – Henry Jamison

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AAA CAMERA IN NEW YORK CITY. AAA Camera was extremely slow in fulfilling an order I sent in on December 6, 2000. I had sent a check for $3,970.25 for a Pentax 67, with an AE pentaprism and three lenses.

I called on December 27, 2000 to ask about the delay and was told by AAA that my check did not arrive until December 26, 2000 (I see that my bank paid AAA Camera on December 28, 2000). On Wednesday, January 10, 2001, I called to ask if the order had been shipped and was told that AAA was waiting for part of my order, which was expected to be ready on Monday, January 15, 2001. I instructed AAA that if nothing arrived on Monday, January 15, 2001 to send what was in stock. On Wednesday, January 17, 2001 I called to say the order had not arrived and then was told that two of the lenses that I had ordered were not coated and to receive the coated lenses I would have to pay more. I instructed AAA Camera to send the Pentax 67 with the AE Pentaprism and the wide angle 55 4.0 which was coated. I felt misled about the two lenses that were not coated and requested AAA Camera to send a refund check for them which totals $1,113.38.

On January 22, 2001 nothing had arrived. I called again and was told that it would ship that day. I called again, January 23, 2001 and was told it had not been shipped yesterday, but that it would be "shipped today."

When the shipment arrived, it had no manuals or warranties, and one of the lenses was missing. They still owe me $429, as I wasn’t charged for one of the lenses they didn’t send.

I called on Monday, February 12, 2001 and was told a check would be sent that day. Called again on February 20, 2001 and was told the check hadn’t been sent and that it would be brought to the supervisor’s attention and he would take care of it.

I am obviously concerned, and based on my experience, would advise people to stay away from AAA Camera in NYC.

- David Lorenz Winston, Philadelphia PA.