Credit Scam Warning

This really happened to a friend of mine's son (a trusting youngster) and he lost $525. Good to read ...

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. However, 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 re markable 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.