New credit card scam.

[Carrie]

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.
>
> My husband 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 next 3 are
> the security Numbers that verify you are the pos sessor 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 scamm ers 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.
>
> Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each
> other, we protect each other.
>
>
>

[Sheltiemama]

Oh my Carrie,thank you so much. May I post this information on another forum? I'd like to get this out as soon as possible. This is a real slick operation it seems. I will be careful.

[Sayuri]

Thanks for posting this - these people just seem to be getting trickier and trickier.