[Dialogue] VISA & MASTERCARD Telephone Credit Card Scam

[Jayandem2@aol.com]

Subject: Fw: VISA & MASTERCARD Telephone Credit Card
Scam

This information is worth reading.  By understanding
how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam
works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself. 
It's unclear how widespread this scam is, but it is
possible for it to happen, given the ease with which
it can be pulled off.  Read the description below, and
then refer to the snopes.com link for more
information.


Those 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  <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> 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 charged
on 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 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 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 too
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.




To verify this, go to http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

Judith, Mike and Meg