Credit Card Scam

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the
information, except the one piece they want.

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 question s, 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 yo u'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.

Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each
other, we protect each other.


Regards
Shek