Credit Card Scam
I received this and wanted to page this along to our general
membership.
http://www.Snopes.com
says this is true. See this site -
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the
information, except the one piece they want.
Note, the callers do not ask for your 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 "Master Card".
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 that 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 listed 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 รข€“
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'll 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
within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA
security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new
purchase of $49799 was charged to our card
Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA
account.. VISA is reissuing us 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 Master card 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 didn't make, and by then it's almost too late
and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from
a "Jason Richardson of Master Card" 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 this scam is happening
Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each
other, we protect each other.
