Credit card scam??

oo0ehxtahcee0oo · Jun 13th, 2008, 04:18 AM

Could it really be THIS easy??
(Here is a copy of the email I got from one of my managers who said his friend James (a police officer) sent it to him. Don't want to believe everything I read, but this seems pretty realistic or no?? Either way, always good to be open minded just in case this does happen ya know?? It's a long email [even I was hesitant to read it] but it's worth it.)

"Subject: LATEST SYDNEY 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: Caller: '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 w e 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 e $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 e 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 youâ€™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 y 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 V ISA 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."

Thoughts??

missisa07 · Jun 13th, 2008, 05:46 AM

Wow, scary!

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

I looked it up on snopes.

oo0ehxtahcee0oo · Jun 13th, 2008, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missisa07

Wow, scary!

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

I looked it up on snopes.

whoooa, freaky. now im ooober scared!!

NoSnowHere · Jun 13th, 2008, 08:00 AM

Scary! I can see how people would inadvertently fall for this. Good to know!

Prada Psycho · Jun 13th, 2008, 08:23 AM

This actually happened (sort of) to me earlier this week, but it was American Express. It actually WAS American Express though. I don't recall them asking for the CCV number, just asked about some goofy charge attempts. The old card was canceled and they overnighted me a new one, so this was all on the up and up.

It sounds like this is what they used to model their scam by. The difference in my case is there was a voice mail on my phone about it. I did NOT call the phone number they left on the message, but called the customer service number on my credit card directly (being the suspicious sort I am). This was how I knew it was legit.

It sure was creepy though, even being legit, to think someone intercepted my card info and was able to attempt to use it. It was the first time for me, but AMEX took care of it beautifully.

UK2ME · Jun 13th, 2008, 09:05 AM

Thanks for posting - the scammers are changing and evolving all the time, and it's good to be aware of what the latest tricks are.

mmmpurses! · Jun 13th, 2008, 12:40 PM

Absolutely do not give any info to total complete strangers who 'call' you, oldest trick in the book. With the economy being so bad, there is a high probability of scams and fraud at all levels. So be on guard with your information at all times.

karman · Jun 13th, 2008, 01:07 PM

This is one scary scam. If my parents didn't tell me to never give out my CVC to someone who called me, I *probably* would've fallen for it. But I guess I would also check whether it has appeared on my online statement first. BUT then...if they tell me well it's not on your statement because we are holding the transaction, blah blah blah...I *maybe* would fall for it.

Still, scary. Thanks for the heads up!!

barcreperie · Jun 13th, 2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oo0ehxtahcee0oo

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 y file a fraud report.

Thoughts??

This is quite a slick little scam! I doubt if I would've fallen for it, but it's tough to be sure, especially if distracted at the time. However, the statement I quoted is not true. It's not too late when you get your bill to file a report and dispute the charges. For those who don't check their balances online, this would be the first opportunity to detect fraud.

kmh1190 · Jun 13th, 2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prada Psycho

This actually happened (sort of) to me earlier this week, but it was American Express. It actually WAS American Express though. I don't recall them asking for the CCV number, just asked about some goofy charge attempts. The old card was canceled and they overnighted me a new one, so this was all on the up and up.

It sounds like this is what they used to model their scam by. The difference in my case is there was a voice mail on my phone about it. I did NOT call the phone number they left on the message, but called the customer service number on my credit card directly (being the suspicious sort I am). This was how I knew it was legit.

It sure was creepy though, even being legit, to think someone intercepted my card info and was able to attempt to use it. It was the first time for me, but AMEX took care of it beautifully.

I got a similar phone call from them. I had gone to a gas station outside of my area and accidentally put in the wrong zip code. It wouldn't take my AMEX so I assumed well maybe this place doesn't take AMEX, so I used my Mastercard instead. Well I get home and there is this message for me to call AMEX fraud line at 1800XXXXXX. My first thought was, is this for real? I logged onto my account online and a fraud alert came up, along with a gas station charge of $75. At this point I'm livid because i used my Mastercard and the amount was $45! So I call AMEX customer service(not the number left on my answering machine bc I thought, what if it isn't a real number and it's a scam?)about this $75 charge and they explain that I put in the wrong zip and the $75 charge is not real. They just wanted to make sure that I actually had my credit card and someone else wasn't trying to use it. The $75 disappeared as soon as I verified that it was me who tried to use the card. They never asked me for the CCV# but had me verify myself by my secret questions.

Jun 13th, 2008, 04:18 AM	#1
oo0ehxtahcee0oo Happily Engaged! Location: The Bay, CA	Credit card scam?? Could it really be THIS easy?? (Here is a copy of the email I got from one of my managers who said his friend James (a police officer) sent it to him. Don't want to believe everything I read, but this seems pretty realistic or no?? Either way, always good to be open minded just in case this does happen ya know?? It's a long email [even I was hesitant to read it] but it's worth it.) "*Subject:* LATEST SYDNEY 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: Caller: '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 w e 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 e $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 e 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 youâ€™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 y 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 V ISA 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." Thoughts?? __________________ [Click photo to read thread!] Follow me and my video blogging here. Last edited by oo0ehxtahcee0oo; Jun 13th, 2008 at 04:25 AM.

Jun 13th, 2008, 05:46 AM	#2
missisa07 (Isabel) Location: Hawaii	Wow, scary! http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp I looked it up on snopes. __________________ ^link to my blog!

Jun 13th, 2008, 08:23 AM	#5
Prada Psycho Red Hot Red Hatter Location: North Carolina	This actually happened (sort of) to me earlier this week, but it was American Express. It actually WAS American Express though. I don't recall them asking for the CCV number, just asked about some goofy charge attempts. The old card was canceled and they overnighted me a new one, so this was all on the up and up. It sounds like this is what they used to model their scam by. The difference in my case is there was a voice mail on my phone about it. I did NOT call the phone number they left on the message, but called the customer service number on my credit card directly (being the suspicious sort I am). This was how I knew it was legit. It sure was creepy though, even being legit, to think someone intercepted my card info and was able to attempt to use it. It was the first time for me, but AMEX took care of it beautifully. __________________ *SWEET SAM, FOREVER IN MY HEART* http://rainbowsbridge.com/residents/SAM068/Resident.htm *Sam's World*

Jun 13th, 2008, 09:05 AM	#6
UK2ME Go on, I dare ya! Location: Maine	Thanks for posting - the scammers are changing and evolving all the time, and it's good to be aware of what the latest tricks are. __________________ *Wear clean knickers!* (As my mother always told me, you just never know when you'll be run over by a bus.)

Jun 13th, 2008, 12:40 PM	#7
mmmpurses! Ay que CHOOlaphes!!!	Absolutely do not give any info to total complete strangers who 'call' you, oldest trick in the book. With the economy being so bad, there is a high probability of scams and fraud at all levels. So be on guard with your information at all times. __________________ I can't be good all the time. Use Credit Wisely.

Jun 13th, 2008, 08:00 AM	#4
NoSnowHere Nico's Mama Location: on my iPhone	Scary! I can see how people would inadvertently fall for this. Good to know!

Jun 13th, 2008, 01:07 PM	#8
karman nail polish addict Location: Canada	This is one scary scam. If my parents didn't tell me to never give out my CVC to someone who called me, I probably would've fallen for it. But I guess I would also check whether it has appeared on my online statement first. BUT then...if they tell me well it's not on your statement because we are holding the transaction, blah blah blah...I maybe would fall for it. Still, scary. Thanks for the heads up!! __________________ karman Louis Vuitton, Chanel & nail polish View my collection here Bag banned! ...all $$$ devoted to NAIL POLISH!