credit card scam....beware

dark_star_3

Hi guys,
I was emailed this at work, it's obviously American in origin, but worth bearing in mind.... d_s

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.


My husband 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 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.

Rikki

Worth knowing.

lipidicman

Two rules to follow. Take the advice to phone back on the credit card number (ie never trust anyone who has phoned you) and dont give out the 3 digit security number on the back of your card to someone who has called you

The problem is that the banks do a similar thing, they phone you to sell you a loan or the like and then say 'we have to do some security checks' I always say:
'a) I don't want what you are selling and b) I am not confirming my identity unless you confirm yours, since you wont do that I will end this unwanted call, good-bye'

kevtrader

I've heard about this scam ages ago. Since then I've heard that it is an urban myth and it wouldn't work!

lipidicman wrote:

The problem is that the banks do a similar thing, they phone you to sell you a loan or the like and then say 'we have to do some security checks' I always say:
'a) I don't want what you are selling and b) I am not confirming my identity unless you confirm yours, since you wont do that I will end this unwanted call, good-bye'

I'm going to try this method from now on when I get called anyway!

lipidicman

Yes I suspect it is an urban myth. The caller would have to have your card details and your telephone number. A skimmed card wouldn't let them call you. This attempt would have to be the last stage of a complete identity heist. Even if you refused to divulge the three digits the criminals would have enough info to do a lot of things.

So shred personal documents, watch your cards, shield your pins, don't be flash and it probably wont happen to you. Alternatively give up, go back to cash and risk it falling out of your pocket, being stolen etc etc

ACID

so obviosu its a scam caller

i would just say yes i made the transaction of 497 dollars now goodbye
by that they cant say much!!!!

also do 1471 get the number an phone the cc company

simple

innovate

Where do these guys have your (and your hubby's) phone number and email address from? Must be someone who knows a lot about you?

littld

We had someone who topped up their mobile phone with our debit card. It was a person working at a catalogue company when we gave payment details over the phone, including the security number.

dark_star_3

urban myth or not, there are nasty people out there who prey on the most vunerable people in society. I suspect printing what I would do to them would breach site rules :mad:
So just call it a timely reminder to "be careful out there" and watch out for others you care about and might be flustered into giving out personal information.


...inovate, I suspect the email meant the caller contacted the husband and wife at different times, but at the same number, either way I'm not sure what your point is

lipidicman

Dont take my 'urban myth' murmerings the wrong way, I wasn't saying the post should not have been made. If this post makes someone suspicious of callers and makes people consider that they might not be who they say they are then it is a good thing whether the original story is true or not!

Quasar

I don't think it's an urban myth. Or rather, it is a urban myth based on reality.

The fact is that Dark Star's card showed a fraudulent purchase shortly after the call, the bank confirmed they would not request those details, and later the police confirmed that many similar reports were being made.

If this is a myth, it's certainly one to be believed.