NWR: New Credit Card Scam

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 &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 'Master Card'.

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. 'D o 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.

Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

Omg that's terrible, thanks for the heads-up!!!!!!

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

Thanks Sarah!

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

The first 4 numbers are the ones often ****out on purchases as well...

thanks for warning people. i actually stopped a girl in Michael's one day from beign scammed by a magazine subscription company...they tell you it's a survey and then ask you about magazines and your lfietsyle and then proceed to offer you like 6 magazines at a discount [granted, it is discounted...but still...] for like 2-3 years and you are not allowed to cancel it...and if you do, you still owe them for it...to make it worse, they obviously had this girl's cell #!

No one I know calls me asking for my full name either...NO ONE...so anytime my phone rings and the person says my full name, I actually pretend it's a business line before confriming I'm me!

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

gosh there's something new everyday, thanks for the heads up

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

THANKS FOR INFORMING

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

thanks for that!! yikes!!

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

Thanks for the heads up

I will be forwarding this to my friends and family

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

OGM!!!! How horrible. Thanx for the info.

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

you're welcome!

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

I just emailed this to everyone I know. Thanks for sharing!!!!!

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

OMG!

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

Thanks for the info.

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

Wow, this actually happened to YOU? You hear about this stuff but it's never anyone you actually know. I'm glad everything worked out!

I have gotten calls in the past from the actual CC company about unusual charges but they were all legit.

I guess a good practice would be to tell them that you will not give any information right now but will call them right back to discuss it. Then you at least know you're calling the right place.

Damn. They'll get you any way they can huh? Social engineering at it's worst.

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

Wow Sarah! I'm sorry that happened to you and your friend. Thanks for the heads up!

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

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Posted by JIFFY

Wow Sarah! I'm sorry that happened to you and your friend. Thanks for the heads up!

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oh, no, no, no... this didn't happen to me! (that's all I'd need! )

This was a forward I got that I'm just passing along!

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

Thank you!!!!!!!!

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

Terrible and all the scams on ebay with the emails. Horrible

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

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Posted by ik1

Terrible and all the scams on ebay with the emails. Horrible

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OMG those ebay scams are the worst, I am constantly getting emails!!

You have to be careful not to give out ANY personal info over the phone or email. No credit card company (or ebay for that matter) will ever ask you to confirm anything personal if THEY CALL YOU!! Never believe anyone if they contact you! They will only ask to verify it is you if you contact them.

My dad was a victim of credit card fraud once, its a very frightening thing!

Thanks for reminding everone how easy it is to get scammed and how we all have to really pay attention to what informaiton we are giving out.

Re: NWR: New Credit Card Scam

Thanks!!! This is great to know!!!