Techguy
November 22, 2000, 01:46 pm
MTX virus 'hotline' (900 number)
A possible email scam surfaced in mid-November 2000, disguised as a virus alert. It tells gullible users to dial a 900 number to learn how to detect a specific virus. "I didn't even know what a virus was 'till about a week ago," the email advertisement begins. "That is when I got a MTX Worm Virus."
Do not dial the 900 number. Do not forward the email to others. Turn to genuine virus experts when you need advice.
The anonymous owner of the 900 number apparently shields himself behind a free email address. The company which hosts the email account began an investigation at the request of Vmyths.com, but they have no public comment at this time.
The unknown author engages in FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) by talking about data privacy, identity theft, and credit card fraud. "Did you know this virus could be on YOUR computer RIGHT now?" the email advertisement asks. The unknown marketer admits having no virus expertise -- yet he urges people to pay $2.69 to hear "a brief message" which describes "a test you can run to see if you have the MTX virus" on your PC.
Those who dial the 900 number will hear a 45-second message telling you to visit three antivirus websites. Antivirus firms offer detailed instructions for free on their websites (see below for related links) -- yet an anonymous person with no virus expertise wants you to pay $2.69 per call. "You need to be 18 years old," of course.
What else do you get in return for a larger phone bill? "This will help me subsidize the cost to publishing [sic] this in National Magazines." Media outlets around the world love to publish virus alerts -- yet an anonymous person wants you to fund a national virus awareness campaign.
The "alert" urges you to forward the 900 number to as many people as possible. "I give you the permission to email this to any friends and family that may not check the newsgroups; everyone needs to check for this info-stealing virus."
Do not dial the 900 number. Do not forward the email to others. Turn to genuine virus experts when you need advice.
Wait! It gets better. "P.S. FOR ALL THE CYNICS THAT POST NEGATIVE REPLIES TO THIS STATEMENT, I HEREBY PUT THEIR ACTIONS UNDER SUSPICION. THE ONLY PERSONS THAT ARE THREATENED BY WHAT I HAVE TO SAY ARE THE THIEVES THAT CREATED THE MTX VIRUS AND PROMOTE CHAOS ON THE INTERNET. ALL NEGATIVE POST ARE UNDER SUSPICION."
Source: Virus Myths (http://www.vmyths.com)
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A possible email scam surfaced in mid-November 2000, disguised as a virus alert. It tells gullible users to dial a 900 number to learn how to detect a specific virus. "I didn't even know what a virus was 'till about a week ago," the email advertisement begins. "That is when I got a MTX Worm Virus."
Do not dial the 900 number. Do not forward the email to others. Turn to genuine virus experts when you need advice.
The anonymous owner of the 900 number apparently shields himself behind a free email address. The company which hosts the email account began an investigation at the request of Vmyths.com, but they have no public comment at this time.
The unknown author engages in FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) by talking about data privacy, identity theft, and credit card fraud. "Did you know this virus could be on YOUR computer RIGHT now?" the email advertisement asks. The unknown marketer admits having no virus expertise -- yet he urges people to pay $2.69 to hear "a brief message" which describes "a test you can run to see if you have the MTX virus" on your PC.
Those who dial the 900 number will hear a 45-second message telling you to visit three antivirus websites. Antivirus firms offer detailed instructions for free on their websites (see below for related links) -- yet an anonymous person with no virus expertise wants you to pay $2.69 per call. "You need to be 18 years old," of course.
What else do you get in return for a larger phone bill? "This will help me subsidize the cost to publishing [sic] this in National Magazines." Media outlets around the world love to publish virus alerts -- yet an anonymous person wants you to fund a national virus awareness campaign.
The "alert" urges you to forward the 900 number to as many people as possible. "I give you the permission to email this to any friends and family that may not check the newsgroups; everyone needs to check for this info-stealing virus."
Do not dial the 900 number. Do not forward the email to others. Turn to genuine virus experts when you need advice.
Wait! It gets better. "P.S. FOR ALL THE CYNICS THAT POST NEGATIVE REPLIES TO THIS STATEMENT, I HEREBY PUT THEIR ACTIONS UNDER SUSPICION. THE ONLY PERSONS THAT ARE THREATENED BY WHAT I HAVE TO SAY ARE THE THIEVES THAT CREATED THE MTX VIRUS AND PROMOTE CHAOS ON THE INTERNET. ALL NEGATIVE POST ARE UNDER SUSPICION."
Source: Virus Myths (http://www.vmyths.com)
------------------
Thank you for using Help From Techs Support Forums!
Please come again and remember to refer a friend to our site.