Credit card scam
Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:07 pm
This actually happened to me. I was wary enough that I didn't give the caller the PIN.
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/MasterCard. My Badge number is 12345.
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 a [i] gizmo[\i] 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 and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number.
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 the last 4 digits 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
What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. You might want to test them by giving them a bogus 3 digit number. If they say, "That's correct" you'll know it a scam. They have no idea what the correct number is until you tell them.
Or, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA or MC 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.
Please pass this on to all your family and friends.
By informing each other, we protect each other.
Mudge the helpful
ps. I KNOW someone is going to jump over to Snopes to check this out.
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/MasterCard. My Badge number is 12345.
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 a [i] gizmo[\i] 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 and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number.
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 the last 4 digits 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
What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. You might want to test them by giving them a bogus 3 digit number. If they say, "That's correct" you'll know it a scam. They have no idea what the correct number is until you tell them.
Or, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA or MC 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.
Please pass this on to all your family and friends.
By informing each other, we protect each other.
Mudge the helpful
ps. I KNOW someone is going to jump over to Snopes to check this out.
Wed Sep 07, 2005 8:11 am
Mudge this unfortunately just happended recently to my mother. She luckily spoke with a neighbor right away and they proceeded to cancel her credit cards immediately as a precaution and change or bank account information.
Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:46 pm
I have been getting similar emails from financial institutions that I do not do business with saying my account has been flagged because of fraudulent activity. Heck, I dont have an account with any of them! Ebay uses have been subject to this kind of scam also. There always seems to be people who are out to scam someone out there. The worst ones are the folks who prey on the elderly. They should be skinned!
Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:46 pm
The bottom line is NEVER EVER respond to an email or to a phone call (i.e. hang up) from someone claiming to be from your banking/credit institution. They will not contact you this way. If you ever have any concerns you contact them. If they need to contact you, they will and will tell you to contact them through previously documented websites or phone numbers.
Mike
Mike
Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:53 pm
Well said Mike! I have even had someone claiming to be from the IRS contact me via email saying I cheated on my taxes but if I clicked onto the link they gave and filled in my crdit card # everything would be ok. VERY SCARY indeed for people who might not understand whats going on!
Wed Sep 07, 2005 11:07 pm
Actually a banking/credit institution WILL make a call like this to verify that a recent purchasing pattern is legit. However, they will not ask for any info such as the Verification Number. They simply ask if you made a purchase or purchases of such an amount from a given merchant or merchants.
You might get this type of call when you first open an account and make a significant purchase right away or if you do the same with an old card which you have not used much or have used only for small purchases.
But again, a financial institution will not ask for the VN or any other information pertaining to the card/account itself.
Thanks for the heads-up Mudge!
Fade to Black...
You might get this type of call when you first open an account and make a significant purchase right away or if you do the same with an old card which you have not used much or have used only for small purchases.
But again, a financial institution will not ask for the VN or any other information pertaining to the card/account itself.
Thanks for the heads-up Mudge!
Fade to Black...
Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:01 am
BlackWolf3945 wrote:Actually a banking/credit institution WILL make a call like this to verify that a recent purchasing pattern is legit. However, they will not ask for any info such as the Verification Number. They simply ask if you made a purchase or purchases of such an amount from a given merchant or merchants.
You might get this type of call when you first open an account and make a significant purchase right away or if you do the same with an old card which you have not used much or have used only for small purchases.
But again, a financial institution will not ask for the VN or any other information pertaining to the card/account itself.
Thanks for the heads-up Mudge!
Fade to Black...
Correct Steve! My credit card bank just recently called me on recent purchases. NEVER, NEVER give the verification code or account number to anyone other than a retailer that YOU have contacted about making a purchase.
Good info. Thx.
regards,
t~
Fri Sep 09, 2005 4:35 pm
Would not take them long to crack a three digit code 
Credit Card scam
Sat Sep 10, 2005 5:17 am
I also recently received a mail from someone claiming to be a US bank pretending thta attemps were made to use my Visa card;
instead of replying, I immediately deleted the message
instead of replying, I immediately deleted the message
Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:57 pm
BlackWolf3945 wrote:Actually a banking/credit institution WILL make a call like this to verify that a recent purchasing pattern is legit. However, they will not ask for any info such as the Verification Number. They simply ask if you made a purchase or purchases of such an amount from a given merchant or merchants.
You might get this type of call when you first open an account and make a significant purchase right away or if you do the same with an old card which you have not used much or have used only for small purchases.
But again, a financial institution will not ask for the VN or any other information pertaining to the card/account itself.
Yep, you're right. Every time I've gone on vacation and chrages show up outside my home state, they'll call my home to confirm. But they won't ask for anything they don't already have!
Keep in mind, they called you, so they know you are who they want to talk with!
AND NEVER REPSOND TO ANY E-MAIL ABOUT ANY FINANCIAL TRANSACTION OF ANY KIND!!!