Judy Hamilton
31st March 2007, 01:33 AM (01:33)
This one is pretty slick since the 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 & Master
Card 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: 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 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 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 in 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 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 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.
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 & Master
Card 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: 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 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 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 in 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 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 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.