General Chatter

Wobbles · Dec 17th, 2007, 18:31 PM

This information came from a friends (Tootsie) OHs friend

Quote:

This one is pretty slick since they provide Y O U 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 "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 London?" 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 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-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 £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 MasterCard 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.

Wobbles · Dec 17th, 2007, 18:32 PM

Credit card scamming is getting worse!

My OH was hit by fruad only recently which btw he got a LETTER about possible fraud alert on his account it had his name address bank details on it too

he didn't actually do anything in response to the letter then week after (I think poss more) his card was hit!

Arcanegirl · Dec 17th, 2007, 18:42 PM

Thats quite scary :S

I always keep a close watch on my online banking for my usual transactions

nikkybaby · Dec 17th, 2007, 19:10 PM

Does anyone know if that is going on in the states too??????

Iwantone!!! · Dec 17th, 2007, 23:03 PM

omg thats terrible honestly i work for a bank a call centre will never ever ask u to confirm details they should already now it never give any details ask them for a telephone number and ring it bk but firstly ring ur bank and ask is this true first

Caroline · Dec 17th, 2007, 23:33 PM

My card was actually used fraudulently, mine is only used online @ tesco, play and paypal. OH keeps his in his wallet and only uses it occasionally. We have tight internet security and all personal info is shreded.

Got an automated call from Halifax, have u used your card for blah telecomunications OH said no and was transfered to fraud dept.

At no point did they ask for any of my card details, password, etc to give them.

They went thru all transactions only one for £2 had gone through which was a "test" purchase. Once it worked and they realised they had generated ( yep thats right they reckoned they "generate card nos, try them until they get lucky) a correct number off they went spending. £200 in V shop and then £50 phone top up.
As fraud often use mobile top up, Halifax automatically lock the account until you verify the transaction.

They've now blocked the account, and will if nec go to police.

So from a point of view of being called by the card company I can verify that they DO NOT ask for any security bits.

Iwantone!!! · Dec 17th, 2007, 23:55 PM

thats whos i work for hunni halifax banks are totall there aware of fraud so ifd anything supisuon they will contact u

Caroline · Dec 18th, 2007, 00:11 AM

I was well impressed with them, they were really helpful, new cards within 4 days. I'm so glad they picked it up by the mobile top up, otherwise i could have had a nasty shock.

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