[Discuss] [Fwd: Fwd: Master card and visa scam]

[George Farris]

Don't know if this is true or not but it always pays to be on the look
out.

-------- Forwarded Message --------
> Subject: Fwd: Master card and visa scam
> Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2006 09:28:10 -0700
> 
> Just in case you haven't seen this. Jim
> 
> 
> > Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2006 09:09:41 -0700
> > From: R & G Bayley <rgbayley at shaw.ca>
> > Subject: Master card and visa scam
> > To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
> > X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2869
> > Original-recipient: rfc822;VE7JTR at shaw.ca
> > 
> >         This has been around before, I believe; but it won't do any
> >         harm to read it again. 
> >         RB
> >         
> >         Subject: Master card and visa scam.   
> >         This is happening in southern Alberta right now and moving. 
> >           
> >         From The Medicine Hat City Police Dept. 
> >           
> >         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 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. We made a real fraud report
> >         and closed the VISA account. VISA is 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 to 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:
> >         ____________________________________________________________
-- 
George Farris
farrisg at shaw.ca