New Credit Card Scam (Beware) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 04-04-2009, 12:30 PM

From an e-mail:

New Credit Card Scam

Snopes.com says this is true. See this site - http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU 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 'Master Card'. The scam works like this: Caller: '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 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 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 Master card 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 Richards on of Master Card' 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 it on to your family and friends

MonarC · 04-04-2009, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the info. Those sneaky bastards!

Hollow · 04-04-2009, 02:07 PM

oh geez.

OH Nuts! · 04-04-2009, 02:18 PM

Thanks for the heads up. I'll never give info over the phone - I'll always call the # on the back of my card. It really is a sneaky scam.

Jude The Obscure · 04-04-2009, 11:51 PM

thanks for the heads up........my cc company never calls me--because they don't have my phone #!! so any time i hear on the phone "hi, this is your last chance to portect your credit card....."........automatic hangup on my part.

Marvo301 · 04-05-2009, 12:13 AM

This is why I use the call display function of my telephone. If I don't recognize the phone number and know exactly whose calling I let the answering machine get the call. That way I don't give away any information to someone I don't know!

80sTrivia · 04-05-2009, 08:54 AM

At this point, it's almost not worth having a credit card... more trouble than they are worth these days, if the truth be told...

OH Nuts! · 04-05-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

At this point, it's almost not worth having a credit card... more trouble than they are worth these days, if the truth be told...

I think I understand where you're coming from. Credit cards can create a lot of problems UNLESS you use them carefully. I only have 2 cards - an Amex cash back card that I use 99% of the time and a Visa for other situations. I basically use them so I don't have to carry a lot of cash, never charge anything on them unless I ask myself the question "Would you lay down cash right now for this item?" and answer Yes. They also help give protection against defective products or unscrupulous merchants.

The down side is UNLESS you pay of your balance in full every month, and pay on time, they can be one giant rip off.

Waterston_Fan · 04-05-2009, 11:00 AM

Yeah. I finally bought me a Visa gift card to use for an Amazon.com purchase but it is non re loadable. Maybe that's a good thing, I don't know but I still got some left in the card and I might use the rest of it at Best Buy and use a Best Buy gift card if I have any left over.

Have any of you guys done that as to using a Visa or Amex or Mastercard gift card and used another card for the remaining balance?

Jude The Obscure · 04-05-2009, 11:15 AM

I have done that before, WF.

As for cc's.......let me tell you i was one of the naive ones when I was 18 and started accepting every cc offer around......i'm still paying the price today for that stupidity..I pay a collection agency every month for two dead accounts (anyone remember NextBank?), plus a judgment placed on me last year, so any future big purchase in my own name is not possible.

04-04-2009, 12:30 PM	#1
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	New Credit Card Scam (Beware) From an e-mail: New Credit Card Scam Snopes.com says this is true. See this site - http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU 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 'Master Card'. The scam works like this: Caller: '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 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 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 Master card 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 Richards on of Master Card' 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 it on to your family and friends
	__________________ Jenny

04-05-2009, 12:13 AM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	This is why I use the call display function of my telephone. If I don't recognize the phone number and know exactly whose calling I let the answering machine get the call. That way I don't give away any information to someone I don't know!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-05-2009, 08:54 AM	#7
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	At this point, it's almost not worth having a credit card... more trouble than they are worth these days, if the truth be told...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

04-04-2009, 12:34 PM	#2
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	Thanks for the info. Those sneaky bastards!

04-04-2009, 02:07 PM	#3
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	oh geez.

04-04-2009, 02:18 PM	#4
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Thanks for the heads up. I'll never give info over the phone - I'll always call the # on the back of my card. It really is a sneaky scam.

04-04-2009, 11:51 PM	#5
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	thanks for the heads up........my cc company never calls me--because they don't have my phone #!! so any time i hear on the phone "hi, this is your last chance to portect your credit card....."........automatic hangup on my part.

04-05-2009, 11:00 AM	#9
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	Yeah. I finally bought me a Visa gift card to use for an Amazon.com purchase but it is non re loadable. Maybe that's a good thing, I don't know but I still got some left in the card and I might use the rest of it at Best Buy and use a Best Buy gift card if I have any left over. Have any of you guys done that as to using a Visa or Amex or Mastercard gift card and used another card for the remaining balance?

04-05-2009, 11:15 AM	#10
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	I have done that before, WF. As for cc's.......let me tell you i was one of the naive ones when I was 18 and started accepting every cc offer around......i'm still paying the price today for that stupidity..I pay a collection agency every month for two dead accounts (anyone remember NextBank?), plus a judgment placed on me last year, so any future big purchase in my own name is not possible.