posted January 23, 2006 04:39 PM
WARNING ..New Credit Card Scam.
>>
>> 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 that you are actually 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 your 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 actual 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 security 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.
>>
>> 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 security 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 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 this scam is
>> happening. Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By
>> informing each other, we protect each other.
>>
>>
>> If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
Lindaland
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posted January 23, 2006 04:39 PM