NEW PHONE SCAM
We all receive emails all the time regarding one scam or another;
but last week I REALLY DID get scammed! Both VISA and MasterCard told
me that this scam is currently being worked throughout the Midwest,
with some variance as to the product or amount, and if you are
called, just hang up.
My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA" and I was called in
Thursday from "MasterCard". It worked like this: Person calling says,
"This is Carl Patterson (any 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 issued by 5/3 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 800
number listed on your card 1-800-VISA and ask for Security. you will
need to refer to this Control #". Then gives 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. Turn the card over. There are 7 numbers; first 4 are 1234 (whatever)
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." 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? 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. 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 dept. told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes
a new purchase of $497.99 WAS put 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 scam wants is the 3 digit number on the back of your card.
Once the charge goes through, they keep
charging every few days. By the time you get
your statement, you think the credit is coming, and then its harder to
actually file a fraud report. The real VISA reinforced that they will
never ask for anything on the card (they already know).
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call
from "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), and they said they
are taking several of these reports daily and to tell friends,
relatives, and coworkers.