Another Credit Card Scam - Beware

Another Credit Card Scam - Beware
> > >
> > >
> > > This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU
> > > with all the information, except the one piece they want.
> > >
> > > WARNING...New Credit Card Scam.
> > >
> > > 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 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 made 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 to 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.