Credit Card Fraud

[Thumchok]

Tried finding that thread from a couple of days ago , but I couldn't find it .

Sounds very similar to this info that was emailed to me this morning .

Heres the email .

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: Caller: '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 w e 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 e $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 e 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 y 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 V ISA 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.

[taxexile]

excellent warning post , during a call like that it would be very easy to get talked into giving out those security numbers.

should be pinned.

Edited May 27, 2008 by taxexile

[PhilHarries]

Thanks for that warning, I don't have VISA or Master Card but I will sure be forwarding it on to friends that do.

[suiging]

Good heads up......Thank you.

As an aside, If you are a frequent travellor to Thailand and use any form of credit card, you run a very ( and I mean extremely ) high risk of the card being scanned.

One thing I have done is to obtain a credit card which is not connected to any account, current or savings, which I have money going through. The "clean" card is only used for travel and is paid off immediately on return. Credit limit is low and based on what I feel I will need for any particular trip. A seconed card ( sort of my real one ) is taken with me but never used. It is only there for emergengies.

Will not stop you being ripped off, but may help with control and loss at the end of the day.

[jellymeister]

hate to be cynical here, but who would be gullible enough to fall for this, and give out this sort of info to an unidentifiable person on the other end of the line...

Edited May 27, 2008 by jellymeister

[JetsetBkk]

... I got a call from a 'Jason Richardson of Master Card' with a word-for-word repeat of the V ISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up...

You should've given him a false number and waste some of his time.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Thanks for the heads up. Never know who will be next.

[Jingthing]

It sounds like a crafty scam. If you suspect the scammer is real, just say, thanks for the info, to be sure I will call the official number of the credit card company. If they were real, they would respect that.

[Gumballl]

hate to be cynical here, but who would be gullible enough to fall for this, and give out this sort of info to an unidentifiable person on the other end of the line...

With this condescending remark, I hope it happens to your parents or someone you care about.

Personally, it has never happened to me, but once I was asked for my Social Security Number (SSN) by a creditor. Being that I was in the right frame of mind, I refused to give it. But for many people, who for whatever reason need or want to have a trusting "friend", they unfortunately will reveal personal information. It happens often enough that these scammers have created an "industry".

Pray the the next person who wants your money doesn't take it with a gun. That's the old-fashioned way of doing things.

[jellymeister]

oh my, you are a rather vindictive gumball, wishing for such awful things on others.....maybe its' time 4u to enroll in an anger management course...with luck, Jack Nicholson might be your counsellor

hate to be cynical here, but who would be gullible enough to fall for this, and give out this sort of info to an unidentifiable person on the other end of the line...

With this condescending remark, I hope it happens to your parents or someone you care about.

Personally, it has never happened to me, but once I was asked for my Social Security Number (SSN) by a creditor. Being that I was in the right frame of mind, I refused to give it. But for many people, who for whatever reason need or want to have a trusting "friend", they unfortunately will reveal personal information. It happens often enough that these scammers have created an "industry".

Pray the the next person who wants your money doesn't take it with a gun. That's the old-fashioned way of doing things.

[sweetchariot]

hate to be cynical here, but who would be gullible enough to fall for this, and give out this sort of info to an unidentifiable person on the other end of the line...

The trick is that they have bought your details somewhere along the line, and by quoting your name and address, and knowing your card type, telephone number etc, many people will be lulled into a false sense of security.

Good scam - thanks for the heads up.