Warning!! Credit Card Scam Alert

[rivermom]

I received this in an email and wanted to pass it along to you ladies.



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. "D o 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 - 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.