Credit card scam

[casey]

Subject: Fwd: Fw: Credit Card Fraud - for your information - Personal

I have just been informed about the below and had it passed onto me.

This information came from a reliable contact in the Halifax Visa team so

it is definitely happening !!

A friend of mine was called on this week from "VISA" and somebody else was called on Monday from MASTERCARD". It worked like this:

Person calling "This is Carl Patterson (could be any name) and I am 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 am calling to verify.

"Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarking Device (or any expensive item)for £497.99 from a marketing company based in (could be anywhere)?"

When you say "No", the caller continues . .. . .."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 (they give 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 callt the 0800 number listed on your card and ask for security. You will need to refer to this as Control ------(they then give you a 6 digit number). Do you need me to read it again?" Caller then says he "needs to verify you are in possession of your card (this is where the scam takes place as up until now they have requested nothing).

They then ask you to turn your card over.

There are 7 numbers - the first 4 are 1234 (or whatever, as they have your number anyway) the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are in possession of the card (these are the numbers they are actually after as these are the numbers you use to make internet purchases to prove you have the card).

"Please read me the 3 numbers." Then he says "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?" "Please don't hesitate to call back if you do."

You actually say very little and they never ask for or tell you the card number. However, after my friend was called he rang 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 put on his card. To cut a long story short He made a real fraud report and closed the Visa card and they are re-issuing him with a new number.

What the scam wants is the 3 digit number and then once the charge goes through, they keep charging every few days.

REMEMBER: The real VISA reinforced that they will never ask for anything on

the card (they already know everything about us)!!

What makes this more remarkable is that my friend says somebody else had a call from a 'Jason Richardson of MASTERCARD - with a word for word repeat of the Visa Scam. This time, because the person was aware, he didn't let him finish and hung up!!

My friend filed a police report (as instructed by Visa) and they said they are taking several of these reports daily and to tell friends,relatives and co-workers.

Please pass this on to everybody and anybody you know!!

Ken.

[SameOld]

That has got a beard you could trip yourself up on! :rolleyes:

[madboy33]

You have to be pretty foolish to give them any numbers over the phone as they know your numbers

[Scarecrow Man]

You have to be pretty foolish to give them any numbers over the phone as they know your numbers

Exactly. They gave YOU the numbers origionaly. :huh:

[andsome]

No bank or credit card firm will EVER phone and ask you for details over the phone.