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 th e 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 - 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.
-------------------- Sassy Posts: 12 | From TX | Registered: Oct 2007
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