I assume you meant type B, not type A, but anyway, lol. I had a somewhat similar "bad advice that always used to work" experience recently with someone, except this case was a proprietary USB-to-10P10C cable for APC UPS control, and they thought it was a USB/Ethernet adapter. Of course 10P10C and 8P8C modular connectors are exactly the same size and shape.
Nope, type A. Both connectors were damaged beyond repair. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it myself - that woman must have the grip strength of an enraged gorilla.
