I received this e-mail from my step-daughter. This is some good info for everyone who has a credit card to be aware of.


New Credit Card Scam
> >
> > 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.  "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 S 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.




Cat

Wise words, Cat...

I don't have a credit card myself, but I'm in contact with this nice man in Nigeria who's very kindly offered me a cut of $1,000,000 if I give him my bank details so he can store the money in my account for a while... :D ;)

Wise words, Cat...

I don't have a credit card myself, but I'm in contact with this nice man in Nigeria who's very kindly offered me a cut of $1,000,000 if I give him my bank details so he can store the money in my account for a while... :D ;)



Yeah, I was in contact with the same man.  ::)



Cat

I hadn't heard of this scam but according to Snopes it's real (but it's actually been around for a few years).

Yesterday I had a message on my answering machine from the fraud department of my credit card company, they wanted to verify a charge on my account.  When I called the number (which was different from the number on the back of my card) it was an automated thing and I thought it was weird so I hung up and called the number on my card.  Turns out it was a real call and not a scam, and thankfully it was a legitmate charge on my account.