> Subject: VIS & MASTERCARD Telephone Credit Card Scam
>
> These scammers are getting very smooth!
>
> Subject: VISA & MASTERCARD Telephone Credit Card Scam
>
> Members: This notice was received from one of our members today and we
felt
> should be passed along to alert Chamber members of a current fraudulent
> situation occurring.
>
> This information is worth reading. By understanding how the
> VISA & Mastercard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll
> be better prepared to protect yourself. Thanks to Dr. Pat Cloney
> for passing this on. Those con artists get more creative every day.
>
> The scam works like this:
>
> Person calling says, "this is , 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 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 #"
> 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, "he needs 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 your card number, the next 3
> are the 'Security Numbers' that verify you are in possession of the
> card. These are the numbers you use to make Internet purchases
> to prove you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers". 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
> REALVISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last
> 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charge on on our card.
>
> Long story made short, we made a real fraud report and closed
> the VISA card, and they are reissuing us a new number. What the
> scammers wants is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card.
> Don't give it to them. Instead, tell themyou'llcallVISA or Master
> card direct. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for
> anything on the card as theyalreadyknowthe 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 to late and/or harder 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.
By informing each other, we
> protect each other. Thank-You
____________________
A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
I have gotten false PayPal and false eBay emails a few times. I know better than to send out my info.
Considering they ALL say that they will never ask for that kind of information.
One of the best ways to get these scammers at their own game is to flat out ask them a phone number to call them at. If they hang up...you know they're a bunch of creeps. If they give you one. keep it to file with your report. It's probably false, but hey, you tried.
Another common scam - for those of you who answer phones in any capacity in the work place.
Printer, Copier, Toner scams!!! - Someone will call, introduce themselves, but typically no company etc. They will ask you for the model number on your printer, copier, fax machine and then ship you toner/ink etc. and then take your money. You're left with product you don't need for crazy, over inflated prices!
NEVER give info like that out, even if they seem to know what you are using for a copier/fax/printer. Ask them where they're calling from, ask them what their phone number is...heck, ask them anything and they will hang up on you!
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
