credit card scam - 09/05/06 03:09 PM
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
==========================
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