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________________________________
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 2:27 PM
To: Rios, Linda; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED];
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: FW: FW: Another credit card scam - ugly!!
Yes this scam does seem to be real.
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp
Hey, this is new, can you verify?
Subject: Another credit card scam - ugly!!
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 we will
be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been
watching and the charges ran ge 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 s ays, "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.
Y ou 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 ma kes 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.
________________________________
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