New Credit Card scam to get your PIN number

[joesteph]

New Credit Card Scam

Snopes.com says this is true.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

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.

The scam works like this: Caller: 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA (or MasterCard). 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 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.

What the scammers want is the 3 or 4 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 and MasterCard 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 or 4 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.

[sensei8]

Great tip! Thanks Joe! I've not received a call like this yet, and if I do I'll now know what to do.

[Patrick]

Yeah, it's a shame that people are out there doing this, but that's life, I guess. The same sort of thing applies to e-mail, but thankfully people are gradually becoming smarter about it. Still, far too many people are way too trusting.

It's good practice in general to respond to requests for sensitive information by contacting the requesting party yourself with their known contact information. But, it's something that even the best of us can forget from time to time.

Patrick

[Blade96]

I cant believe people still fall for these things. I have never given anything out over the phone.

last call i had like that was someone saying they were from my bank and there was something wrong with my account and they needed like date of birth and address and postal code (thats the same as a ZIP code for you Americans) and my social insurance number - your own personal number that identifies you. and stuff like that. I didnt fall for it - firstly because banks would already have that info; why would they need to ask for it again. and second, because you dont know if they are from the bank or not. and third, banks dont do that (call u on the phone)

so Guy was trying to get me to say it; I wouldnt, eventually he gave up. Now there was nothing wrong with my account because i never heard again from the "bank."

That one was also pretty slick because they had my name and address - they asked for me by name when they phoned - and read out my address. But they never had the things they wanted! so it makes you think they are legit when they read you out some of your info!