Visa & MasterCard Scam

[Capricorn]

From: Subject: Visa & MasterCard Scam

 

Sent: 01 December 2004 10:42

Subject: please read

 

 

This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &

MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to

protect yourself. Those con artists get more creative every day.

 

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

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 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.

 

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 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.

 

Please pass this on to all your friends. By informing each other, we

protect each other.

[Jhoo]

But i tot that most of the time when we claim that there is an error in the statement and that we didnt made the purchase, the bank will just revert the amount with no questions ask?

 

My friend did that when he came back from US and found "extra" items being charged, but the bank just revert the amount!

[Elina]

another scam scheme...what will ppl think of next? makes u wonder who u can trust nowadays....

[Capricorn]

hmmm... what to do?

[Capricorn]

The idea here is to prevent it from happening....

[Elina]

aiyoh, what's that on ur avatar... d girl girl so violent one...what msg r u trying to get across?

[Capricorn]

haha... so you are aware of that! Juz we guy like to post something funny thats all....

[Elina]

yup, guys will be guys...

[Capricorn]

haha.... so you got it!