>This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the
>information, except the one piece they want.
>
>
>
>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 and
>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 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 $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 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.