WARNING...New Credit Card Scam

[Waka]

Thought this might be of interest, it was passed onto me.


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.

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 card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase a Widget for £477.99 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 £250 to £499, 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 number listed on the back of your card 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 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. By the time you get your statement however, 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 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.

 

[martyn2]

thanks waka i have sent it around where i ???? work ??????

martyn

 

[tibbs]

The above is possibly an urban legend - see here, but nevertheless is a good warning not to give anyone on the phone any credit card details unless your ABSOLUTELY sure as to how genuine they are (e.g. you have a caller display unit & you recognize the number presented as belonging to the company calling - chances of that being faked are probably slim but I guess could be done even so).

Safest to tell them to write to you or ask for their name & tell them that you'll call them back on the published number for their company.

While we're on the subject - everyone knows that you should NEVER EVER give ANYONE your 4 digit PIN number regardless of who they say they are, right :?: - all the banks & credit card companies state categorically that they will never ask for the number.

Richard

 

[engineer one]

interesting thought is when your bank rings, and asks you to confirm your details, how do you know they are the genuine bank?

interesting conundrum, the bank rings chasing you, and asks for the info that a hacker would want, when you question it, they get their knickers in a twist. since they claim to be so tough on data protection would you not think they had got it figured by now? :lol:

just remember anyone ringing you and asking for personal info is one way or another after your money, even your own bank!!!!
paul :wink:

 

[Philly]

Wow-cheers Waka :shock:
Philly

 

[Martin]

Thanks Waka - a salient lesson indeed. I had a similar experience before Christmas (although I don't know if was a scam or not). Egg called me to question some unusual spending on my card - but then having called me started asking questions in order that I prove my identity.

I hung up before it finished - but what was remarkable (and makes me wonder whether it was really genuine) is that the call was automated, via recorded vioce with you using your telephone touch pad to answer.

As a general rule if a card company rings me and then asks me to prove my identify I tell them where to go (and in some cases, which were probably geniune they've accepted this without question). Instead, they should write to you and have you contact them.

Fingers crossed this has worked for me so far, and I've never been scammed in this way...

Cheers,
Martin.

 

[WoodPecker]

It's much more fun to give them the wrong info if they ring you, if they're genuine they'll be able to tell you it's wrong, if they're scammers they'll go off feeling chuffed with them selves only to be dissapointed when they try to use your card.

 

[Adam]

Although giving out the details means you'll get added to the "sucker" list of people who are deemed worthy of trying other scams on, as initiaally at least, it won't be clear you have supplied false details - you will be added as a to the sucker list as someone who gave out the information.

Then you'll get more calls, one of which you may unknowlingly fall for. I reckon hanging up is the best bet.

"Sucker list' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1977396.stm

Those targeted are often chosen because they have fallen victim to past deceptions or because they entered postal competitions.

Their names are circulated among criminal gangs on what are known as "sucker lists".

Those who are conned are often too embarrassed to report the crime. "

Apparently the "sucker" lists are bought and sold for a premium as they have a better return rate.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/tmarkg/recovery.htm

"Consumers who have lost money through prize promotions, merchandise sales, and charity drives often are placed on "sucker lists." These lists contain names, addresses, phone numbers, and other information, such as how much money the consumer has spent responding to telemarketing solicitations. "Sucker lists" are bought and sold by unscrupulous promoters who know that consumers who have been deceived once are vulnerable to additional scams."

So the result is you get a load more phone calls.

Adam

 

[engineer one]

latest phone call to me to night, some guy from i guess the indian sub continent, saying he was not trying to sell me anything, but would like to see whether his group could offer finance at a better rate than i already had.

of course he did not want my details, but if i agreed to listen, and thought his offer was good he would put me onto his underwriter who would want more data.

i am sure i am not the only one who finds dealing with these guy so much fun :lol: :twisted: (hammer)

keep your ears open and your mind sharp or the bugs will catch you
paul :wink:

 

[Losos]

Waka - Thanks for the above, I've printed it off & put in the credit card file. It may be an urban legend but if it happened to you it could happen to any of us.