BigBlue

Subject: Latest Credit Card Scam

By understanding how the VISA &
Mastercard Credit Card Scam works, you'llbe better prepared
to protect yourself.

E-mail stated:

My husband 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> 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 #" 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, "he needs 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 your card number, the next 3 are
the 'Security Numbers' that verify you are in possession of
the card. These are the numbers you use to make Internet purchases to
prove you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers". 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 minute's 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 charge on on our card.

Long story made short, we made a real fraud report and closed the
VISA card, and they are reissuing us a new number. What the
scammers wants 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 direct. 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. you get your
statement, you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by
then it's almost to late and/or harder 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.

By informing each other, we protect each other.
ThankYou

CTD NUT

Thanks for the low down!!

DPG

Thanks for the Heads-Up!

Knowledge is power.

DeWain

Patrick Campbell

Question - they got the 3 digit security number so how did they get the 16 digit card number? I would be more concerned about that.

I check my credit reports bi monthly or so, and my credit card / bank accounts every single day online.

Kyle Graham

Did the visa people tell you how the scammer got your account number on the front of the card just curious.

BigBlue

It's probably not that hard to get your credit card number. When I worked at a small store back home, the credit card receipts that we kept had the entire credit card number on them plus the expiration date.

Jeff in TD

There has been a trend lately to use cell phones in the checkout line to photo other people's cards... Also, not every business is good about shreding things, leaving opportunity for dumpster divers.

Hoss

That's what I'm wondering. The three digit number doesn't help them unless they know the credit card number and the expiration date.

t-15 firefighter

something kind of along the same lines. what happens when you go out to eat and you give the waiter your credit/debit card? all of the info is their's for the taking.

just food for thought.


britt

jrs_dodge_diesel

A great many of those photo cameras do not have the resolution required to zoom in and get anything near a clear picture for someone to be able to read the nembers.

wyosteve

Good point T-7. I think I'll insist on paying my bill at the service desk when I leave the restaurant to avoid that potential.

phox_mulder

AOL was hacked a couple years ago, as was Earthlink and Networld (all big online service providers) and somone made off with the credit card numbers, names, addresses and expiration dates.
Now that the heat has died down, and people have forgotten, the crooks/geeks are making some money with their ill gotten booty.
A little at a time as to not raise suspicion, and keep from committing a felony, a couple hundred bucks per person is akin to pickpocketing, nowhere near grand larceny.

These were huge companies that should know better.

Think of all the little mom and pop places that know nothing of internet security, and have all their customers credit card numbers stored on the store computer.
They don't have addresses though, but a little time spent investigating the crooks could easily come up with them, then just spend a little time fishing for the 3 digit security code.

Then you have every Tom, Dick and Mary buying stuff over the internet with credit cards.
A hacker just has to set up a packet sniffer and spend some time sorting through it all to get some credit card numbers, same drill.

Then there is the huge increase in wireless home networks, I can drive around the neighborhood and find unprotected networks just waiting to be hacked.

Just be careful and use a little common sense and we all should be fine.
Sad thing is those who can least afford it are the ones the crooks tend to go after.
It's never the town millionaire that gets his credit card number stolen, it's the nice old lady living on social security.


phox

herb

com'on guys--- everyone has to make a living

dssimecek

Also, from what I have been told, the hote, motle room keys with the mag strip on it have all you information given at check in, including your full credit card number.
Advice I have been give, keep the key, or run a strong magnet over the strip.

gud luk

BigBlue