Credit card scam.

[Bugsy]

I've just received this warning from a police friend in the UK.

___________________________________________________________________

This  one is pretty slick since they provide Y O U 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.


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 London?"  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 £500purchase 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
fraudinvestigation.  If you have any questions, you should  call the 0800
number listed on the back of your card (0800-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 thecaller 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  MasterCard 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  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 family and friends.  By informing each
other, we  protect each other.
 

[Pickles]

Although this story is plausible (and possible), it seems to be an urban legend and has been circulating at least 4 years: see

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_credit_card_fraud.htm

However, even if it is made up rather than real, the point is that you DO need to be careful about what data you pass to others, by whatever means.

If possible, sign up to the Verified by Visa scheme ...

Regards

Pickles

[Gardian]

Pickles .........

Well it may well be an urban legend & around for 4 yrs or so, but it is indeed pretty damm plausible. I hadn't heard that one before and whilst I'd like to think I'd never get caught, you can never say "Never".

Thanks for the thread BB.