A
Alex
Guest
I don't know how tru this is, i was forwarded it, but beware anyway.
<-------Begin Forwarded Message------->
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
that was issued by( name of bank). Did you purchase an
Anti-Telemarketing Device for £249.99 from company based in (name of
any town or city)?
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 £150 to £249, just under the £250 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 0800
number listed on the back of your card 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 your 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 £249.99 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 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 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.
Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each
other,we protect each other."
<-------Begin Forwarded Message------->
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
that was issued by( name of bank). Did you purchase an
Anti-Telemarketing Device for £249.99 from company based in (name of
any town or city)?
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 £150 to £249, just under the £250 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 0800
number listed on the back of your card 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 your 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 £249.99 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 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 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.
Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each
other,we protect each other."
