Weird, Funny News & Jokes

[Telephonics]

Subject: NEW CREDIT CARD SCAM

The Holiday Season is just a little bit down the road
and the bad guys are already trying to get free stuff by using your
credit.

New Credit Card Scam Snopes.com says this is true. See
this site - http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp> This Snopes site
says TRUE!!!

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all
the information, except the one piece they want.
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.

One of our employees was called on Wednesday from
"VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "Master Card".

& nbsp; 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. T he 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 - short - we made a real fraud report and
closed the VISA account. VISA is re issuing 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 too 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 Master Card" 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 family and friends. By
informing each other, we protect each other.









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