Jcka’s Adventures

WARNING…New Credit Card Scam.

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.

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 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 made 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 to 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.