Credit Card Scam

[DB11]

I recieved it in an email... doesn't really apply to me but most of you are adults

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.

One of our employees 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 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 £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 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 the caller 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.

[Lillehamring]

um, except that they wouldn't say 'visa' or 'mastercard', banks would identify themselves, & would also need to ID the customer, so...

4/10

if you're caught by this one, should've been paying attention...

[DanTheFoxBhoy]

I'm very wary of anyone who asks for any information

I often get "Hi, I'm so-and-so from somewhere-I've-never-heard-of, before I begin can I have your date of birth?"

"No, arsehole. Goodbye."

[Alexikokopops]

If you're stupid enough to ever give out that 3 digit number over the phone then you deserve to be fleeced.

[cisono]

If you're stupid enough to ever give out that 3 digit number over the phone then you deserve to be fleeced.

Well, technically no one DESERVES that (excepts the scammers themselves), but I do know what you mean!!!

I'd like to point out that things are a bit confusing, though, as some online shops require your CSV code (the three digit security number) when making a purchase while others do not...

(Darn, I have just given away that I do lots of online shopping!!! )

Does anyone know why this is?

[danny.]

Well, technically no one DESERVES that (excepts the scammers themselves), but I do know what you mean!!!

I'd like to point out that things are a bit confusing, though, as some online shops require your CSV code (the three digit security number) when making a purchase while others do not...

(Darn, I have just given away that I do lots of online shopping!!! )

Does anyone know why this is?

yup, when they set up an account with a merchant Gateway, who handle the payments, they can choose whether to include the CV2 check or not. It's, crazily enough, optional.

The shops that do request it are more security conscious, it also protects them because they lose out too if someone uses a stolen card to buy goods.

[Lillehamring]

Well, technically no one DESERVES that (excepts the scammers themselves), but I do know what you mean!!!

I'd like to point out that things are a bit confusing, though, as some online shops require your CSV code (the three digit security number) when making a purchase while others do not...

(Darn, I have just given away that I do lots of online shopping!!! )

Does anyone know why this is?

so that they can confirm that you have the card in your possession rather than just the account number, the difference is you decide who you give this to, who you trust, for example if i buy tickets from Midland mainline.

if you purchase thru visa you are insured if such a transaction is bogus, but if you shop online, you owe it to yourself to be vigilant and regularly check your statements.

[cisono]

so that they can confirm that you have the card in your possession rather than just the account number, the difference is you decide who you give this to, who you trust, for example if i buy tickets from Midland mainline.

if you purchase thru visa you are insured if such a transaction is bogus, but if you shop online, you owe it to yourself to be vigilant and regularly check your statements.

I understand the purpose of the 3-digit number, but what I was musing about was something different.

for instance, some time ago, I had to place an order online. They said their online shop could not handle that particular order (I forget why) and I had to place the order on the phone instead. I felt uneasy about that, as it occurred to me it really depended on the honesty of the employee...

The lines between scam and genuine transaction are quite blurred at times (in terms of recognising them).

PS: I have experienced someone buying online mobile phone credit twice on the same day in Ireland using my credit card number. It was a VISA card and I got reimbursed and issued a new card.

[cisono]

yup, when they set up an account with a merchant Gateway, who handle the payments, they can choose whether to include the CV2 check or not. It's, crazily enough, optional.

The shops that do request it are more security conscious, it also protects them because they lose out too if someone uses a stolen card to buy goods.

I had a feeling this may be the case

Personally, I would prefer this to be decided (one way or the otehr) by someone else than the merchant.

As a customer, how do I know they are not asking for my security code just for the fun of it... (especially when making the odd purchase from some merchant you have never heard of...).

[AoWW]

What is scary is the number of times you hear folks either just walking along, or particularly on buses, trains etc, ordering stuff on their mobiles and happily relaying all their card details. Hellllllooooo. how easy is it for someone else to just sit there and copy all that information down....???? Let not make it easy for the scammers, eh? Even the poor 'opportunistic' ones who you've just gifted the info to.