Credit Card Scam

[pegasus1010]

FYI

This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &

Mastercard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better

prepared to protect yourself.

These con artists get more creative every day.

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 , 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 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 #"

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, "He needs 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 your card number, the next 3

are the 'Security Numbers' that verify you are in possession of the

card. These are the numbers you use to make Internet purchases to

prove you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers."

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 charge on our card.

Long story made short, we made a real fraud report and closed

the VISA card, and they are reissuing us a new number. What the

scammers wants 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 direct. 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 harder 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 friends. By informing each other, we

protect each other. Thank-You.

[Clownfish]

sounds realli scary.... the caller sounds convincing esp when pple dun realli noe wat the last 3 digits r for

this act happened to u in sg??

[pegasus1010]

nope. forwarded from other forum for benefit of all.

[damien]

thanks for sharing!

[Clownfish]

nope. forwarded from other forum for benefit of all.

phew!

i thot our society is becoming more n more unsafe

u noe wat, that's some of the loopholes of the advancement of technology

[shoelevy]

haiyo

these scammers getting to rampant...first i got approached by idiot nigerian conman

then now this

guess there's no end to what these people can come up with

[XPeriment 626]

The three numbers at the back of the credit card are for security verification. When you make a purchase at a shop, your CC number and expiry date will appear on the receipt, but not these numbers. For internet transactions, to prevent people from buying using the information found on a receipt they picked up off the street, most sites require you to enter the three security digits to prove you are actually in possession of the card and not just a receipt.

Protect these numbers, never reveal them to anyone over the phone, as they can go and then buy stuff online using your card.

[flubberina13]

yup...not only just in AZ...but also practically everywhere in USA and Europe too...esp...Prague.

Real incident here...

Muar was also charged more when I booked a hotel stay. Infact was charged on three extra occasions...they thought I very goondu...

Checked my account and called them up and they said they will credit into my card account the soonest!!!

So next time if you stay in motels in States, pls be careful on how much you are signing for and also to double-check the account after a few days.

As for Prague...they are very fast when they got your cards. Start shooting away in shops. Reported the loss and then realised this was happening...was charged about S$3000+

Thank God that the bank accepted my explanation..

[mUAr_cHEe]

Muar was also charged more when I booked a hotel stay.

i was charged when u stay hotel????

*check his account*

kakakaka.... being lame as usual.....

[flubberina13]

i was charged when u stay hotel????

*check his account*

kakakaka.... being lame as usual.....

har?

[mUAr_cHEe]

har?

"Muar was charged..."

Muar as in mUAr_cHEe???

geddit??? geddit???

then again maybe being too lame and corny....... sorry.... juz too stressed at my job.... gotta let out some steam here...

[flubberina13]

dun worry...muar chee...i wouldn't think of spitting saliva at something that I love to eat...

muar is 'I' lar...

I would turn from flubberina to scandalina if you pay for my hotel stay...

and dun let out steam in the wrong place hor...

[RAV-65]

muar chee... u never fail to make me laugh....

[Gouldian]

dun worry...muar chee...i wouldn't think of spitting saliva at something that I love to eat...

muar is 'I' lar...

I would turn from flubberina to scandalina if you pay for my hotel stay...

and dun let out steam in the wrong place hor...

Thought its suppose to be Moi?

Merci et au revior

[mUAr_cHEe]

muar chee... u never fail to make me laugh....

at yr service.... heehee....