New Credit Card Scam

[TheDealer]

2004 07:07 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was forwarded to me, so I thought I would pass it along to all of you here. It is worth reading.

My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA"
> and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard".
> It worked like this:
>
> Person calling says, "This is Carl Patterson
> 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 issued by
> (your) 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 800 number
> listed on your card 1-800-VISA and ask for
> Security. you will need to refer to this
> Control #". Then gives you a 6 digit
> number. "Do you need me to read it again?"
>
> Caller then says he "needs to verify you are in
> possession of your card. Turn the card over.
> There are 7 numbers; first 4 are 1234(whatever)
>
> the next 3 are the security numbers that verify
>
> you are in possession of the card. These are
> the you use to make internet purchases to prove
>
> you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers."
>
> Then he says "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 questi ons? Don't
> hesitate to call back if you do."
>
> 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 dept. told us it
> was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new
> purchase of $497.99 WAS put 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 scammer
> wants is the 3 digit number! and that once the
> charge goes through, they keep charging every
> few days. By the time you get your statement,
> you think the credit is coming, and then its
> harder to actually file a fraud report.
>
> The real VISA reinforced that they will never
> ask for anything on the card (they already
> know). What makes this more remarkable is that
> on Thursday, I got a call from "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), and they said they are
> taking several of these reports daily and to
> tell friends, relatives and co-workers.

------------------

[teamrope]

:mad2: :uzi: :shot:
I think if I get a call like that, I'll just tell them strait out the gate, "Man I'm glad you called, my card's been stolen and I can't find anything with the number on it 'cause I keep real $h!tty records."
Thanks for the heads up.

[Bigdogjim]

Never hurts to keep people awake!!!

Can not be too carfull today:)

Thanks

[gilby04]

Thanks for the tip, Ray...
Dishonesty abounds everywhere nowadays...
Good to know you're on the lookout !
Jim

[woaface]

My dad had his number stolen once, and Mastercard knew about it before he did. When they called to talk to him, they asked him all that "What's your mothers maden name" stuff that he filled out on the application, so they knew it was him. Watch for stuff like that too.

[RCSignals]

Real Card security will call you at times to investigate suspicious activity, or charges that are out of your normal "pattern"
They don't ask for that kind (the 3 digit number) of information though
However that 3 digit number alone will not allow someone to charge yor card

[TheDealer]

Our lastest machine at my dealership now requirers a zip code. If it doesn't match, it won't approve it.

[Dr Caleb]

Real Card security will call you at times to investigate suspicious activity, or charges that are out of your normal "pattern"
They don't ask for that kind (the 3 digit number) of information though
However that 3 digit number alone will not allow someone to charge yor card

True, but if they already have your name, address and phone number, odds are they were dumpster diving for credit card reciepts. They're just missing the numbers on the back of the card.

I'd challenge them. "No, you tell me my mothers maiden name to prove who you are. . ." because I never give them my mothers maiden name. I use the last name of the invisible friend I had as a kid. Only he knows his last name ;)

[jgc61sr2002]

Ray - Thanks for the heads up. :up: