Credit Card Fraud by phone and/or e-mail
Bottom line. They will never ask you for any information over the phone as they already have
it!!
Rhonda Dunbrack
Parts Sales Coordinator
ColonialWebb Contractors
Ph (540)442-6175 x 222
fax (540)442-1999
mobile (540)717-0076
rhonda.dunbrack@colonialwebb.com
-----Original Message-----
FSubject: [Fwd: FW: Incredibly clever credit card scam]
Subject: Incredibly clever credit card scam
The did not happen to me, But I looked it up on Truth or Fiction and verified it was true. It was
sent to me by my brother.
Dan
mailto:T@hotmail.com
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 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 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 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.