Post by wholesaletrader on Dec 10, 2007 11:17:50 GMT
This one is pretty slick since they provide Y O U 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.
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 London?" 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 0800
number listed on the back of your card (0800-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.
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
MasterCard 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.
Please pass this on to all