Credit Card Scam

alexj2002

Just recieved an e-mail like that that seemed to come from eBay asking to confirm my details due to possiblity of fradulent use (alarm bells start ringing) then a hyperlink where the text is different to the site it takes you. Then this:

"eBay will request personal data (password, credit card/bank numbers, and so on) in this email.

Thank you for using eBay!
http://www.ebay.com/"

Erm, since when has any company asked to send bank details via e-mail?

But the website looked believable enough. A simple rule is to hang up and ring them up via the number on the card or a proper letter when the call/email to make sure it's them.

COS

Another Credit Card scam. I paid Telecom Plus a payment using my Credit Card so because they had this information on record they took advantage of this and decided to take a further payment with out my permission just because I had cancelled the Direct Debit of which was paying for Gas of which TP have told me in writing that they are not suppyling because British Gas wont release me from the contract.

Is this legal Martin?

bugs

We recently received a new scam email at work. It didn't stand a chance of fooling us because (a) it went to our admin@ address (b) we're not dumb (c) we don't have Citibank accounts (d) our boss, just to make sure, forwarded the email with an extra warning to the whole team just in case anyone didn't come under the qualities of point (b).

But in this case even those of us under point (b) - which of course includes all MSE users! - were impressed by this one. It was an html email, properly spelled, convincing language, and with logos etc. Of course because the link could be hidden neatly in html it looked even better as it appeared to be a Citibank address.

So the moral of this tale is be especially careful of the Citibank scam emails. (And never ever ever give out your details on phone, email or a website that you haven't personally typed in the address for! Can't be said enough...)

(Apologies, I'm sure the Citibank email will have been detailed elsewhere on MSE but I thought this one was so convincing it's worth the risk of repeating the obvious).

Sarfaraz

It seems like the e-mail technique of "pishing" has now hit the phones.

TIPS:

1. Tell them that the bank they are calling on behalf of has told you not to give any personal details whatsoever to anyone. This is common on most bank correspondence

2. If they say you can call the number on the back of your card to verify the matter, say you will do exactly that and put the phone down without giving any details - It's a simple ploy to gain your confidence.

3. Turn the tables and ask them what their security number is and when they say "Sorry I can't do that, etc" reply with "Funny that, you read my mind! Bye!"

4. Visa/MasterCard would not ask a cardholder to disclose security codes or provide any information verifying physical possession of a card. IF someone were to get in touch, it would be from the financial institution (i.e. HSBC, Capital One, etc).

IN ANY EVENT DON'T GIVE YOUR DETAILS OUT! HOWEVER:

I love the idea of giving them the wrong 3 numbers (Seems so wrong, but yet so right!!)

lisyloo

I paid Telecom Plus a payment using my Credit Card so because they had this information on record they took advantage of this and decided to take a further payment with out my permission just because I had cancelled the Direct Debit of which was paying for Gas of which TP have told me in writing that they are not suppyling because British Gas wont release me from the contract.

Hi COS,

Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble with them.
Have you tried talking to your credit card company.
They may be able to undo the transaction (if it is illegal).

If that doesn't work and you feel you have a good case (things in writing etc.) then I can only suggest that you write to Tplus by recorded delivery outlining the whole situation and asking for your money back within 14 days after which time you will take them to the small claims court.
The small claims court is very effective in this kind of situation.

COS

Hi COS,

Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble with them.
Have you tried talking to your credit card company.
They may be able to undo the transaction (if it is illegal).

If that doesn't work and you feel you have a good case (things in writing etc.) then I can only suggest that you write to Tplus by recorded delivery outlining the whole situation and asking for your money back within 14 days after which time you will take them to the small claims court.
The small claims court is very effective in this kind of situation.

Thanks Lisyloo

Let you know the out come as I am awaiting for TPlus to come back to me.

sra

I received a fake ebay email saying my ebay account had been used fraudulently and I should follow the link and confirm my details.

I knew it was a fake instantly though it was very well done.

For a laugh I put in my userid as:gottabekidding
and my password as:notgettingit

sure enough, it accepted this as my password and took me to the credit card screen.

The screen it took me to was an exact copy of ebays (with all the links working) except for the extra field for your pin number.

Im sure this will work with phonecalls too. If you get a phonecall your unsure about you should ALWAYS phone them back by a phone number you got from your own source but for a quick check just lie to them about the 3 digit verification code they ask you for - If they're real they'll tell you it's wrong and to try again, If they're fake they accept it.

COS

Thanks Lisyloo

Let you know the out come as I am awaiting for TPlus to come back to me.

TPlus

Tell me that they have a right to do this. Pointless locking my front door really as TPlus will probably steal my TV and say they are allowed to >:(, they seem to employ very dishonest methods.

cathy_3

??? ???how can they do this if they dont have your credit card number

the 3 digit security number is no good without the full card number surely

what have I missed ???

Paul_Varjak

People are more trusting over the phone than they are face to face!