Credit Card Scam: They’re Getting More Sophisticated

I just received an update on the latest credit card fraud; I want to share it with the Athens Now readers.

Here we go– this is a good one.

This fraud is happening in the Midwest area, but working its way across all states.

This is slick, since you provide the information needed and do not realize it. You do not give them your credit card number. They already have it.

A person calling says, “This is (some name,) and I’m calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA/MC. My badge number is XXXXXX. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern and I am calling to verify. This purchase would be on your Visa/MC, which was issued by (Bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing devise for $497.99 from a marketing company in Arizona?” When you reply “NO,” the caller continues with, “Then we will issue a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range anywhere from $300 to just under $500. A $500 purchase would flag most cards. A credit will be sent to you before your next statement to (they give the correct address), is that correct?” You reply, “YES.” The caller continues-“I’ll 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 to refer to this control number.” The caller will give you a 6 digit number and asks if you need him/her to read it again.

Here is when the fraud really starts. The caller will ask you to verify that you are in possession of the credit card; they will ask you to turn the card over and read the last three numbers of the card. They will not ask for the seven numbers on the card, just the security code, which is the set of numbers you need to make most Internet purchases. After you give them those numbers, they would say, “That is correct.” They wanted to “verify” you actually have the card, and that it had not been stolen. You will be asked if there are any questions. You will most likely respond, “No.” The caller will thank you and tell you to call if you have questions. He/she will hang up. You really said very little, and you never gave out your CARD NUMBER. We called Visa about 20 minutes later, and were told by the real Visa security department it was a SCAM, and a purchase of $497.99 was charged to the card. You need to make a real fraud report and close the card. Visa will issue a new card and number. Don’t ever give out any card numbers to anyone asking for it from your credit card company. They already have them if they are legit.

Please, if any one calls saying they are from your credit card company, do not answer any questions. Call back to your credit card company using the phone number listed on your card, and ask for security.
By: Jim Doyle, owner of Madison Security Group