Alan Power
12-04-2004, 01:54 PM
I got this email last night, thought I'd stick it up here for all to see. Don't know if this scam is going on in the US but it's doing the rounds here!
Just been warned about this, and could potentially be financially
fatal so close to Christmas. Please pass on to all people on your
mailing list. I got this from a contact in the Halifax Visa team so it
is happening!!
Visa and MasterCard Scam. A friend was called on the telephone
this week from 'VISA' and I was called on 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. Did you
purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Company a device/any expensive
item, for £497.99 from a marketing company based in (any town?)
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 (they give 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 0800
number listed on your card and ask for Security. You will need to
refer to this Control number.' They then give 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' (this is where the scam takes place as up until now they have
requested nothing!). They then ask you to turn your card over.
There are 7numbers; the first 4 are 1234 (or whatever, as they have
your number anyway).
The next 3 are the security numbers that verify that you are in
possession of the card' (these are the numbers they are really after
as these are the numbers you use to make internet purchases to
prove you have the card).
'Read me the 3 numbers.' When you do 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
telephoned 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 put 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 scam wants is the 3-digit
number and that once the charge goes through, they keep
changing 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/ MASTERCARD DEPARTMENT REINFORCED
THE POINT THAT THEY WILL NEVER ASK FOR ANYTHING
ABOUT THE CARD SINCE THEY ALREADY KNOW
EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!!!!.
What makes this even more remarkable is that on Thursday a
friend of mine 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),
and they said they are taking several of these reports daily and to
tell friends, relatives and co-workers so please pass this on to your
friends................
Just been warned about this, and could potentially be financially
fatal so close to Christmas. Please pass on to all people on your
mailing list. I got this from a contact in the Halifax Visa team so it
is happening!!
Visa and MasterCard Scam. A friend was called on the telephone
this week from 'VISA' and I was called on 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. Did you
purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Company a device/any expensive
item, for £497.99 from a marketing company based in (any town?)
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 (they give 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 0800
number listed on your card and ask for Security. You will need to
refer to this Control number.' They then give 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' (this is where the scam takes place as up until now they have
requested nothing!). They then ask you to turn your card over.
There are 7numbers; the first 4 are 1234 (or whatever, as they have
your number anyway).
The next 3 are the security numbers that verify that you are in
possession of the card' (these are the numbers they are really after
as these are the numbers you use to make internet purchases to
prove you have the card).
'Read me the 3 numbers.' When you do 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
telephoned 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 put 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 scam wants is the 3-digit
number and that once the charge goes through, they keep
changing 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/ MASTERCARD DEPARTMENT REINFORCED
THE POINT THAT THEY WILL NEVER ASK FOR ANYTHING
ABOUT THE CARD SINCE THEY ALREADY KNOW
EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!!!!.
What makes this even more remarkable is that on Thursday a
friend of mine 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),
and they said they are taking several of these reports daily and to
tell friends, relatives and co-workers so please pass this on to your
friends................