FRAUD ALERT:
This DIDN'T happen to me, another customer forwarded this warning
Both VISA and MasterCard have said this scam is currently being worked
throughout the
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
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 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
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 as a new number. What the scam wants is
the 3 digit number on the back, and that 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 it's harder to actually file a
fraud report. The real VISA reinforced that they will never ask for
anything on the card because they already know it.
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). They said they are
taking several of these reports daily and to tell our friends, relatives
and co-workers.
PASS IT ON!