Wahm Forum - Your "Work-at-Home Moms" Support Group

wahmannounce · Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:52 am New Credit Card Scam

Good morning everyone,

My mom sent this to me and I haven't had a chance to check out the site yet, but wanted to post it here for observation:

New Credit Card Scam .... Snopes.com says this is true. See this site -
>http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp
>
>
>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: 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 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. "D o 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.

pemgirl · Fri Sep 08, 2006 5:07 pm

Thanks for the heads up.
Wish people could find something better to do with their time.

wahmannounce · Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:38 pm

Me too. It's seems that scammers are always on the lookout for a new way to entice people to give up their personal information. Money is their big motivation, of course. These days, it just best not to trust anyone calling over the phone. Ask for their number to get back with them later. Then, look up the companies main office number to call to check it out.

gazellems · Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:48 pm

Thanks Rhonda. I always tell anyone calling that I don't have a credit card especially unknown callers. Then call my credit card company to check if they called me. I made a mistake giving out my credit card about 10 years ago and I have never given it out since. It's a shame the lengths people will go through to cheat, lie and steal. Take care and God bless.

cuellarhatcher77 · Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:53 am

I heard about this! It is best to not give out any personal information. I check my credit report once in a while. That reminds me, I'm due to check it again.

Ravish30 · Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:16 pm

I wish we had stricter laws and punishments for scammers and spammers, some really HARSH ones as I think it would cut down on it some. Small fines for spamming is not HARSH enough.