[Sca-cooks] OOT: Credit Card Scam...it has been verified by Snopes.

[Elaine Koogler]

This is from a friend of mine who works for the Secret Service:
***
New Credit Card Scam *

Snopes. Com says this is true. To verify see this site:
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp


This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU 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 & Master
Card 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 'Master Card'.. The scam works like this: Caller: '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 ?'

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 - 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 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 Master Card' 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.

-- 
"It is only with the heart that one can see clearly; what is essential is
invisible to the eye."
--Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince