Ned,
thanks for letting us know about this scam. I passed it along to everyone
in my Loving Ones list.
Love,
Pat Ferguson
At 02:28 PM 7/14/04, you wrote:
>I had this happen to me this last Tuesday evening. The guy was not very
>professional and began to argue with me when I suggested that even he might
>be a fraud. I finally had to tell him I wasn't going to talk with him any
>more and hang up.
>
>Be carful.
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Linda Stiles" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: "Ned Dawson Benton" <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 6:24 AM
>Subject: Fw: New Credit card scam
>
>
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Theresa" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: "Theresa" <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 5:14 AM
> > Subject: New Credit card scam
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Subject: New Credit card scam
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [See Snopes.com http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp for
> > > more
> > > information. Apparently this scam IS being performed.]
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > >
> > > Subject: Credit Card Scam All, FYI and use. This info was shared
> > > with me by a friend. The scam is not limited to U. S. Bank cards but
> > also
> > > applies to Government Travel Charge Cards and personal credit cards.
> > >
> > >
> > > This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &
> > > Mastercard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared
> > > to protect yourself. Thanks to Dr. Pat Cloney for passing this on.
> > > 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 charge 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 wants
> > > 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 to 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.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
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