Associate
- Joined
- 24 Oct 2005
- Posts
- 1,135
- Location
- Hull
Interesting scam that was forwarded to me.
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 "MasterCard". Note, the callers do not ask for
your card number; they already have it.
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
that was issued by(name of bank). Did you purchase an
Anti-Telemarketing Device for £249.99 from a Marketing company based
in (name of any town or city)?"
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 £150 to £249, just under the £250 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 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 £249.99 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 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 to late and/or more difficult to
actually file a fraud report.
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 "MasterCard". Note, the callers do not ask for
your card number; they already have it.
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
that was issued by(name of bank). Did you purchase an
Anti-Telemarketing Device for £249.99 from a Marketing company based
in (name of any town or city)?"
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 £150 to £249, just under the £250 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 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 £249.99 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 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 to late and/or more difficult to
actually file a fraud report.
