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OT – Credit Card Phone Scam, please read
Hi all. As most of us (including myself) use credit cards on almost a daily basis for purchases, please read the following phone scam out there now to get the Security Numbers off your VISA / Mastercard. This was sent to me by a friend who just retired from the Treasury Dept. and this is definitely one of the most clever scams I’ve heard of to date which uses a long and very official sounding script.
By understanding how the VISA & Mastercard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you’ll be better prepared to protect yourself. The scam works like this:
Person calling says, “this is , and I’m calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA (or MasterCard). My Badge number is 12460. Your card hasbeen flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I’m calling to verify your information.
This would be on your VISA card which was issued by _______ 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 hat 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. 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.If you get a call, file a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! Also, if you have caller ID, make a note of the phone number as well so you can give that to the Police and VISA / Mastercard.
Please pass this on to all your friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Creative Genius, Biscardi Creative Media
https://www.biscardicreative.comNow in Production, “The Rough Cut,” https://www.theroughcutmovie.com
“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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5 Replies
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Walter,
Thanks for the info.
I generally turn the scam around by requesting the social security number, home address, cell phone number and first born child’s name of the person calling.
I instruct the caller I cannot discuss any personal information until the caller reveals all their details first.
Sort of like I show you mine if you show yours first.
Tony Salgado
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Thanks for the heads up Walter. They keep getting more insidious, every year.
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This warning has been floating around for a couple of years. See: https://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_credit_card_fraud.htm
As the article states, even though it’s not clear if this fraud is for real, no one should ever divulge personl info over the phone (or via email). I like Tony’s approach above.
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Some interesting details about this scam over on Snopes.com:
https://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp
Thanks for the heads up.
Steve Courtney
Videographer/Editor
Foster City Television -
I would just say “Sorry, I don’t have a credit card. You have the wrong number!” CLICK!!
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