credit card scam [hope i am doing right ]

bertyboy
bertyboy Member Posts: 1,860
edited 25. Feb 2010, 04:25 in Community Chit-chat archive
thought this might be usefull the more people that know the better

WILTSHIRE POLICE

Keeping you informed

Swindon Police Station Gablecross Shrivenham Road South Marston Swindon Wiltshire SN3 4RB Telephone: 0845 408 7000 0845 408 7000
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..

Paul Phelps

PC1102 Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer.
I know i am a lady ,all life is a journey xx MAY xx

Comments

  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks Bertyboy

    Will keep name by phone as a reminder.

    Trish xx
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks posted on fb to let lads know
    val
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Berty

    you are doing right
    spread the word

    Love

    Toni xx
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    i think you doing right non of us has money to throw away to these people thanks
    val
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks from me, Berty - such info gratefully received.

    Annie
  • fester
    fester Member Posts: 98
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Berty got rid of my credit cards years ago, but will pass info onto family and friends.
  • minky67
    minky67 Member Posts: 2,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Berty. will pass it on too.
    debs
  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    This is an old hoax/scam/urban legend and it has been around since May 2007 to my knowledge. Putting a police address on the top just dresses it up a bit.

    All you do is google, "My badge number is 12460" and it has about 28,200 entries. Don't pass this hoax on, as it is already out there.

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
  • naseebapnaapna
    naseebapnaapna Member Posts: 201
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi joseph, you may have been aware of this scam before, many may not be, so till pass on this information!!!

    it is never too late to pass on info unless u have been scammed before someone informs you.

    it's better to be told twice, htan not at all.

    thanks

    sangita
  • jackie1955
    jackie1955 Member Posts: 632
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Berty, I too had not heard of this scam.
  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi joseph, you may have been aware of this scam before, many may not be, so till pass on this information!!!

    it is never too late to pass on info unless u have been scammed before someone informs you.

    it's better to be told twice, htan not at all.

    thanks

    sangita
    My point was that there is no actual credit card scam. Passing the email/letter on to others is the real scam, due to believing the information to be accurate. Its just total rubbish and completely untrue. All people are doing by repeating it is perpetrating the myth and worrying people over nothing.

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
This discussion has been closed.