Thought it would get buried in the GD and wanted to share it with the WAHTF so everyone is aware!
WARNING...New Credit Card Scam PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.
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 "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 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. 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
$497.99 was charged to our card. Long story made 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 to 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.