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.
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>