VISA / MC Scam

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[apfn-1] Fw: VISA / MC Scam

 

 

 

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:52:55 -0400

 

 

 

erock <erock2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

I had something similar happen, but it was for real

and they didn't ask for any info, but told me to contact my bank, which

I promptly did.  It was quite a mess!  E

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is well worth

reading all of it. 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure most of you know to never give out your infomation over the

phone, but just in case I wanted to forward this to my friends and

Family. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 VISA / MasterCard FRAUD

 

Just a heads up for everyone regarding the latest in Visa fraud. Royal

Bank received this communication about the newest scam. This is

happening in southern Alberta right now and moving.

 

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 '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 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 last 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 last 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 were 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. 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 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. I dealt with a similar situation this

morning, with the caller telling me that $3,097 had been charged to my

account for plane tickets to Spain , and so on through the above

routine.

 

It appears that this Is a very active scam, and evidently quite

successful.

 

Pass this on to all

your family and friends