Off Topic - Visa & MC Scam

[Mr Walleye]

I just received this latest credit card scam from our local Chamber of Commerce and thought you guys might be interested in a heads up on it.

My sister works at the Royal Bank of Canada and just received this communication about the newest scam.
This is happening in southern Alberta right now and moving.
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"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 last 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 last 3 number 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.

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 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 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. I dealt with a similar situation this morning, with the caller telling me that $3,097 had been charged to my account for plane tickets to Spain , and so on through the above routine.

It appears that this Is a very active scam, and evidently quite successful.

Pass this on to all your family and friends

[Wildcat]

Very good post Mr. Walleye!  Before I retired I have tried to help hundreds of people with scam and identity theft issues.  This is a new one to me, but not unexpected.

[Mr Walleye]

You're right WildCat it's not unexpected. It's just brutal some of the scams now a days!  :(

Mike

[Oldman]

Great post..... and now we all know why the oldman never gives out any information. I refuse to bank on-line... I refuse anylonger to do online purchase unless I can call a company directly...and only if they understand that no information will be stored in their system once the purchase is complete  --this is why I do not use Paypal... they would not remove my CC information 3 years back, and why I have my CC number(s) change out yearly.

How do you all think these folks got that information.... they hacked out some company's or companies' system(s).

[iceman]

Great info MrW. Thanks for taking the time to post this for everyone.

[Habanero Smoker]

Thanks for the post. This is a very unique scam that I would probably have fallen for also.

[coyote]

Thanks for the heads up Mr. Walleye , Thanks for taking the time...Hell, I have kin that wouldn't
share that with us. :( That's what I like about this place.........THE PEOPLE  :) 8)
Coyote

[Kummok]

I always figured that if folks knew how ugly I was, they'd NEVER try to steal my identity :o 
But just in case they don't know, I'm thinking I'd like having this protection......  http://www.lifelock.com/

[LilSmoker]

Thanks for the warning Mike, i've had my bank details hacked twice over the years, causes untold grief ::)

..........LilSmoker

[whitetailfan]

This is happening in southern Alberta right now and moving.

Damn...gotta move quicker.
I guess you guys aren't going to give out information now to "Whitetailfan calling from VISA"
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D