New Credit Card Scam

[Steve R]

This has been forwarded to me and it is worth reading. You may also want to pass it on.


"This one is pretty slick since they provide Y O U 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 "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 an Anti-Telemarketing Device for ?497.99 from a Marketing company based in London?" 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 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-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. 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 MasterCard 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 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."

[Sam Slater]

Thank you, Steve. I'd never give anything over the phone anyway, but my Mum & Dad's generation are a different breed. I'll be passing this on to them.

Again, thank you.

[Trumpton]

Thank you for that information Steve R !thumbsup!

I never give any details over the phone to anyone.

[chubbs]

cheers for that steve, much appreciated


btw, did sam just call you old? ooh, hark at me stirring...

[diplodocus]

sorry it's a chainmail hoax, as is 99% of anything you get which says 'forward this to everyone you know'

don't send it to anyone, it just clogs up the internet



the one posted above has been around for about 5 years

[Steve R]

My wife's boss actually received one of these telephone calls, as did another employee.

[Ace]

My wife can atest that many people have called the nick to enquire about these callers as they are very plausable.
Advice to anyone, don't trust any fucker on the phone unless you call them in the first instance, and NEVER reveal passwords or the 3 digit on yer card

[diplodocus]

is that what you have been told?

it's strange that the info from 2004 even has the same code number you quoted,

it's a chain mail, pure and simple

[diplodocus]

true, i hate chainmails with a passion, they seemed to disappear for a while but now they have come back on texts and sites like facebook.

the break the chain site is excellant, it shows most of them up for what they are, and some are really sick going on about kids with cancer etc

as for the less than mighty leeds, i'm not sure we will make auto promotion, think we will be playoff people - glad it's not at cardiff now though