Mount Paran Northside Citizens Association

ONLY THE LATEST SCAM

Oct 22, 2004

A friend was called from VISA, and his wife was called the next day from MasterCard. The scam works like this:

The person calling says, "This is , and I'm with the Security/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 bank. Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona??”

When you say "No", the caller says, "Then, we?’ll be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we?’ve been watching, and the charges are always just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (tells 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 and asks you to repeat it back to him.

Here's the important part of how the scam works. The caller then says he needs to verify that you are in possession of your card.

He'll ask you to turn your card over and look for some numbers.

He says, "There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are the last four of your card number and
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?’s correct. Do you have any other questions?" After you say, "No" the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back, goodbye."

You actually say very little, and they never ask for, or tell you, the card number.

But after my friend was called, he called the 1-800 number on his card within 20 minutes to ask a question. Is he glad he did! The real VISA Security Department told him it was all a scam and that a new purchase of $497.99 was charged on his card in the last 15 minutes! The moral: Never tell anyone your credit card security numbers on the phone.