WARNING: CREDIT CARD SCAM‏

WARNING
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'. The scam works like this:
Caller: 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud
Department at VISA. MyBadge 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 $397.99 from a
Marketing company based in Arizona ? 'When you say 'No', the caller
continues with, 'Then we will be issuing acredit 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 numberlisted 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,
' Indeed 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 youhave 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 20minutes 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 purchaseof $397.99 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 the3-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 VISAscam. This time
I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a policereport, as
instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several ofthese
reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that
thisscam is happening. Please pass this on to all your family and
friends. By informing one another, we protect each other.
Benjamin Leung
Center for Biologics Research,
Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate, Health Canada
Sir F.G. Banting Research Centre, A/L 2201E
251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
Tel: 613 957 1065