Credit card scam alert

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Wed May 25, 2005 1:12 pm

WARNING...New Credit Card Scam.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number.

This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.

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My husband 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 cardwhich 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 andthe 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 the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask forSecurity. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6-digit umber. "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 havethe 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 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 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

Justin from Detroit1 · Wed May 25, 2005 1:32 pm

Good lookin' out.

lotas · Post by **lotas** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:29 pm

thanks will

Wed May 25, 2005 4:00 pm

Be like me, never answer the phone :)

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Wed May 25, 2005 5:00 pm

Or be like me, have no credit cards

Justin from Detroit1 · Wed May 25, 2005 7:37 pm

Basstronics wrote:Or be like me, have no credit cards

LOL the sad face made that post perfect.

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Thu May 26, 2005 5:39 am

Sometimes its bad and make slife hard. But its one less bill to worry about. Especially when I get tempted by "special offers" wink wink

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Thu May 26, 2005 6:53 am

I would at least get one for emergencies such as for using it to buy gas or whatnot. The only thing is forcing yourself not to use it for anything unless you really have to.

audiobass10 · Post by **audiobass10** » Thu May 26, 2005 12:40 pm

Or just get a debit card and you're never using anything you don't have. That's what I do. Makes transactions easy and I never have to worry about bills either.

lotas · Post by **lotas** » Thu May 26, 2005 12:52 pm

audiobass10 wrote:Or just get a debit card and you're never using anything you don't have. That's what I do. Makes transactions easy and I never have to worry about bills either.

yeah I use a debit card too...only problem is when you want to buy something you have to remember to deposit $ into your account.

one time I bought something at radio shack and it came to more than I knew I had in my account, so I had them run it as credit and went straight home and transferred some $ from savings ---> checking.

thank you online checking system thing.