Credit Card Scam - Verified by Snopes!

[Vickilynn]

Holiday Season is just a little bit down the road and the bad guys are already trying to get free stuff by using your credit.

Credit Card Scam Snopes.com says this is true.

See this site - http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp This Snopes site says TRUE!!

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 & Master Card 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 $49799 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 y our 3 Digit PIN Nu! mber, 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.

[Shad]

Just one more reason why I don't use Credit or Debit Cards. It's cash or check only for me.

[Blien]

ouch that pretty sneaky. Thanks for the info..

Here is one a friend of mine pointed out to me... once we were in a restaurant and i paid using visa but I just gave the waitress the card and she walked away with it to the cashier. Then he pointed out to me that they could just write down my number and expiry and even security number while I am here finishing my meal... :S yikes! But I dont really worry about it, visa has a good security system.

[mrs]

I don't believe that the real people are ever supposed to ask for your security number. That IS very sneaky though, yikes.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

I love the "we can reduce your interst rates just give us your card number" ones. LOL I just tell them I don't have any cards.....makes for a quick hang up.

[nebula]

Note, if someone claims to have your credit card number and wants you to verify it -

Have them read the number to you.

[Vickilynn]

Shalom Nebula,

Unfortunately, as this article shows, they ALREADY have your card number, and all your info. They only need your 3 digit PIN number.

[nebula]

Hmm . . . OK -

I guess what I was trying to get at is a principle about not giving away your number...

[OneLight]

Hmm . . . OK -

I guess what I was trying to get at is a principle about not giving away your number...

Excellent point. I have never heard of any credit card company calling and asking you for the three digit code ...

[vicki-aka-bebe]

hi vickilynn.. and thanks for the heads up on the scam....

God bless .. have a Happy Thanksgiving... sister vicki