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Telephone Scam Alert

Don't Give 3-Digit Number on Back of your Credit Card to ANYONE THAT CALLS

December 1, 2004
By: O. J. Cunningham

The following was forwarded from a City Police Department to their Chamber ofCommerce:

Subject: VISA & MASTERCARD Telephone Credit Card Scam

Members: This notice was received from one of our members today and wefelt it should be passed along to alert Chamber members of a currentfraudulent situation occurring.


(Editor's Note) This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &Mastercard Telephone Credit Card Scamworks, you'll be better prepared toprotect yourself. Conartists get more creative every day. This could easily happen in Bay City tomorrow.

The scam works like this:

Person calling says, "This is _____ , and I'm calling from the Security andFraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has beenflagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This wouldbe on your VISA card which was issued by bank _______ (They know your bank's name). 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 acredit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and thecharges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern thatflags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to(gives you your address - They know your address), is that correct?"

You say "yes". The caller continues... "I will be starting a Fraudinvestigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1-800 numberlisted on the back of your card (1-800-ASK VISA) and ask for Security. You willneed to refer to this Control #" The caller then gives you a 6 digitnumber. "Do you need me to read it again?"

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works.

The caller thensays, "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. thereare 7 numbers; the first 4 are your card number, the next 3 are the 'SecurityNumbers' that verify you are in possession of the card. These are the numbersyou use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card.

Read me the 3numbers". After youtell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say ,"That is correct. I justneeded to verify that the card has not beenlost or stolen, and that you stillhave your card.

Do you have any other questions?" After you say No, the caller then Thanks you and states, "Don't hesitateto call back if you do", and hangs up. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the cardnumber.

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 says thatVISA will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since theyissued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you thinkyou're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement, you'llsee charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost to lateand/or harder to actually file a fraud report.

RULE OF THUMB - Never give private or credit card information to ANYONE THAT CALLSYOU. It's that simple. Honest businesses never call and ASK for credit card info. VISA never calls and asks for credit card numbers. Your bank will NEVER call and ask for your account number.

If someone calls and asks for credit card info- SAY NO - Hang Up!

Be Wise! Be Alert! Be Safe!

Thieves may know your name. They may know your address. They may know your bank's name.

BUT . . . without the 3-digit number on the back of your card, they can't use yourcard to purchase anything using the telephone.