[Oremem/Idamem] SUBJ: NEW CREDIT CARD SCAM ALERT

[Phillip Barker]

Hello fellow MARS members,

I received this confirmed advisory through law enforcement
sources here in Oregon. This information is NOT a hoax.
Although this advisory is long, I think it's still worth
reading.

73,
Phil Barker
AAR0ME

==============================================

Subject: VISA & MASTERCARD Telephone Credit Card Scam



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:

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> 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 #" 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,
"he needs 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 your card number, the next 3 are the 'Security Numbers'
that verify you are in possession of the card. These are the numbers you
use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. Read me the 3
numbers". 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 on our card.

Long story made short, we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA
card, and they are reissuing us a new number. What the scammers wants 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 direct. 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
harder 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...

Here is how your REAL bank would confirm charges to your account(s):

FWIW story:  I recently received a call from the real VISA
fraud department.  The way they work is to ask you to confirm
or deny a group of charges against your card.  That's all.
You get a list of date, charge source and amount.  At the end you
press a phone button to indicate whether or not you made the
charges.  They don't ask for any identifing information.

I don't know what happens if you press 0 to speak with a real
person or if you indicate that one or more of the charges are
false. 



Phil Barker
Curry County Computer Services
Gold Beach, Oregon 97444
541.247.3370 Desk
541.253.7550 Cellphone