Date: Fri, 23 Oct 92 16:45:16 PDT
>From: clarinews@CLARINET.COM(UPI)
Subject: File 4--Somebody gets access to freeway callbox codes, runs up bill

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (UPI) -- Somebody apparently got hold of the
serial number and telephone number of a Southern California freeway
callbox, and used them to rack up nearly $2,000 in phone bills.

The Orange County Transportation Authority is trying to determine just
how the phone thief used the electronic serial number and telephone
number of the freeway emergency callbox to make 11,733 calls totaling
25,875 minutes, and who will foot the bill.

OCTA Executive Director Stan Oftelie said they got suspicious because
calls charged to the callboxes' supposedly secret numbers average
fewer than 100 a month.

Oftelie said OCTA officials also are trying to determine how the
freeway box could be used for in-state and out-of-state calls since
the boxes connect directly to California Highway Patrol dispatch
headquarters.

"We're concerned about it," Oftelie said. "They shouldn't be able to
call anywhere but Highway Patrol headquarters." OCTA said it has
tightened security measures, and is talking with GTE Cellular and L.A.
Cellular to determine who will pay the bill.  The callbox is one of
1,100 solar cellular phone boxes in the county.  Most average 10 to
100 calls per month from motorists in trouble.

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