KarynK
Well-Known Member
This has been circulated by WILTSHIRE POLICE I have checked and this one is real!
Swindon Crime Reduction Department
Hi all,
1.
This has been passed on via another Force area through our own Fraud
Department In Wiltshire Constabulary, and it is a very convincing SCAM.
We have been asked to disseminate the information as widely and was
quickly as we can through Neighbourhood Watch, School Safe and others.
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
London ?" 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 0800 number listed on the
back of your card (0800-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. The
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 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
MasterCard 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.
Please pass this on to all your family and friends.. By informing each
other, we protect each other..
Swindon Crime Reduction Department
Hi all,
1.
This has been passed on via another Force area through our own Fraud
Department In Wiltshire Constabulary, and it is a very convincing SCAM.
We have been asked to disseminate the information as widely and was
quickly as we can through Neighbourhood Watch, School Safe and others.
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
London ?" 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 0800 number listed on the
back of your card (0800-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. The
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 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
MasterCard 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.
Please pass this on to all your family and friends.. By informing each
other, we protect each other..
