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#200276 09/05/06 09:09 AM
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline
FROM A FRIEND....
==========================

THE SCAM
This week, I have included the details of a new identity theft scam that
frankly is pretty believable. My partner has shared it with me and I thought
it worthy to pass on.
Note, the callers do not ask for your credit card number; they already have
it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &
MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to
protect yourself.
One of our employees was called on Wednesday from 'VISA' and I was called on
Thursday from 'MasterCard'. The scam works like this: Person calling says,
"This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at
VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual
purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card
which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing
Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in Arizona?". When you say
'No', the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your
account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from
$297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards.
Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your
address), is the correct?". You say 'yes'. The caller continues-"I will be
starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions you should call
the 1-800 number on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security.
You will need to refer to this Control Number. the caller then gives you a 6
digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?" Here's the important part
on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in
possession of your card". He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for
some numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card
number, the next 3 are the security Numbers' that verify you are the
possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make
Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to
read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he's
say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been
lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other
questions?" After you say "No", the caller then thanks you and states,
"Don't hesitate to call back if you do.", and hangs up. You actually say
very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number. But after
we were called on Wednesday, we called back to the credit card company
within 20 minutes with a question. The REAL VISA Security Department told
them of the scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was
charged to our card.

Long story-short-we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account.
VISA is reissuing a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN
number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them
you'll call VISA or MasterCard directly for verification of their
conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on
the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! if
you give the scammers your 3 digit PIN number, you think you're receiving a
credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for
purchases you did not make.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a
"Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA
scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police
report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of
these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that the
scam is happening

#200277 09/05/06 09:18 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,208
Offline
I'm afraid this one is a hoax.

http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hoaxes/hoaxDetails.asp?HName=Visa+%26+MasterCard+Fraud+Hoax&Page=4

Though it is always worth remaining aware that there are scammers out there.


www.conchcreative.com
Belize Wedding Photography

#200278 09/05/06 09:35 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,677
Offline
So, A fake hoax? Whatever, never give anyone who calls or e-mails you ANY info on your credit cards. No matter who they claim to be. Period.


Been there, done that, the washing machine ate the T-shirt
#200279 09/05/06 09:47 AM
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,191
Offline
A very real scam is occuring in Guatemala. A friend of mine went to the ATM machine outside a bank in the center of the old colonial city of Antigua and drew out $132US in local currency. He was astonished to find out that later that day someone had cleaned his account out using the same ATM....two withdrawals totalling $1400US. The fact that his card had a $300US a day limit on cash withdrawals made no difference.

It's an inside job at the bank in Antigua. A month ago Belize Bank voided and cut my friend's card in two with a pair of scissors and started a fraud investigation. To this day the scammers at the Guatemalan bank are STILL trying to withdraw funds using the same card! He went back to Antigua and questioned the bank...of course they "don't know how the scammers are doing it..."

#200280 09/05/06 11:54 AM
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,157
Offline
Why don't you post the Guatemalan Bank's name?

#200281 09/05/06 09:03 PM
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,191
Offline
I'll have to ask my buddy....all I know is that it's on the main square in Antigua.

#200282 09/06/06 08:00 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 316
Offline
Muchas Gracias por la informacion! laugh


Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh uncontrollably.
#200283 09/06/06 08:49 AM
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,191
Offline
The bank in question in Antigua is the GT Continental Bank and it's across the street from the main square. There are two Cajero 5B ATM machines and they are part of the bank property and are located in the entranceway to the bank. There's a grill on the outside which is never closed, followed by the ATM machines followed by another grill which is locked when the bank is closed.

#200284 09/07/06 04:31 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,770
Offline
This is what www.truthorfiction.com says about the Visa/Master card e-rumor.

Crooks Using Clever Schemes to Try to Get Your Personal Financial Information-Truth!

Summary of the eRumor
Various emails, telephone calls, or letters claiming to be from financial institutions, retailers, or websites and saying that they need you to verify your personal financial information.
Some of them say your credit card may have been used in a fraudulent transaction that they are calling to unravel the details.
Some claim that you must periodically verify your information in order to keep using their services.

The Truth
There are numerous emails warning of this activity.
We haven't verified whether each of the specific personal stories in the eRumors is true...but the bottom line is there is a lot of activity by clever crooks to try to trick you into revealing credit card numbers, personal identification (PIN) numbers, Social Security numbers, ATM codes, and any other information that will either give them access to your money or allow them to misuse your credit cards or steal your identity financially.

It's a procedure that has come to be known as "Phishing."
It is an attempt on the part of scammers to trick you into going to their website by telling you that you are either going to lose your credit privileges or there has been fraudulent use of your credit card.
If you respond to the link or telephone number provided, it asks you to confirm your information including your credit card data.
It is a scam that is designed to trick you into given personal and financial information to people who will misuse it and, perhaps, steal your identity.

Various emails have claimed to be from VISA, Mastercard, PayPal, Best Buy, Citibank, and other financial institutions.
One of them simply refers to your "U.S. Bank."

Another version of this eRumor that said it was from PayPal was actually considered a virus.

Ya just gotta be careful!


It's never too late to have a happy childhood!

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