From a friend: "The scam works like this: Person calling says, "this is __ , 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 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 REALVISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charge 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 to 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. Please pass this on to all your friends. By informing each other, we protect each other. Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!" - Bill ou:
How did he know the entire credit card number and address I wonder. He had to have that to make the purchase? Walter
But don't some credit cards call you if they notice unusual activity on your card? And if so, how does THAT conversation go? Wouldn't it be almost identical to the scam conversation? So, can someone please tell us what a REAL security call would be like? What would they say and what should we expect? Thanks.
I've had VISA call to make me aware of unusual charges a couple of times. They were both legit charges I made though. They never asked me for any of my account info or SS#. Once was when we paid for a cruise, and they asked if I was aware of and authorized a charge for X amount payable to Royal Carribean Cruise Lines.
OK. But what if it is a legitimate charge on your card? I suppose if you get that kind of call, you should just call VISA back directly and inquire?
I suggest getting a credit report on yourself and dumping any card that is just floating around that you are not using. Think of them as possible targets for fraud. Also LOWERING you credit line on cards that you do want to keep. Why have a $5K line when you only need $2-3K? I have one credit card and thats it. NO credit card from stores. They are useless. I try to keep my life simple now a days. :spank: Just my $0.02 OH....And don't answer the phone. Let it go to voice mail!!!! If it's important...they will leave a message. I only answer phone #s of family when at home. I just LOVE caller ID!!!! Hey come to think of it...I don't even have a debit card!!!!!!!!!!!!! :Brow:
This is why I don't This is why I don't give my CC number out,What I do is if a CC company calls I tell them I will call them back at the number on the back of my card and then we will speak! Also The other thing I do is Where I sign the back of my card I Write "SEE .I.D." meaning to ask for my I.D. and if they don't then I remind them about it! If I return to the store and buy something with my CC and they don't ask for my I.D. I then ask for the manager and complain to Him/Her and ask for the company's main phone #, So they will make a policy to ask in tthe future. My Wife and I have been victims twice of CC fraud and I am glad I use American Express because they are on the ball with watching for a "RED FLAG" charge. Don
Scott, Don't want to get on your bad side, but stores do not have to check ID. Read a cardholders agreement, Visa and Mastercard allow you to hand the card to someone else and let them make a purchase. In that situation, of course ID will not match up to the name. Also, you ever pulled a "SEE ID" signed card out at the Post Office? They won't let you pay for the transaction with it. I used to write "SEE ID", but after some thought, it didn't seem to help anything. Unless you are one of those people that thinks they are getting by the cardholder agreement by not signing. (And once again, your cardholder agreement states that just by using the card you have accepted the terms and conditions). Always read the fine print.
I Have agree and Disagree BamaWildcat, I understand what you are saying BUT! If you have signed the back of the cars and also wrote on that same area See I.D. and they don't check ask for I.D. then you are not held responsable for the charges if you did not make them, As far as you letting someone else use your card If you have written on the back of the card See I.D. then you can not let anyone else use the card unless you have given written consent to the CC company that He/She may use it and it is incumbent that the store call the CC company to let them know that someone else is using the card. Where then the CC company will look up the account and will see that He/She is okay to use it and if not then it is the Stores job to seize the card! You are right about he "SMALL PRINT" but the way to protect yourself is buying doing what I said above. I know this after having my Credit card #'s stolen. American express has a great fraud department. That is why I only use them. I have a Visa but I hardly ever use it and I have made clear to them about the See I.D. on the back of my card and they are to notify me if someone else is using the card! So The store can he held liable if they do not follow the instructions of the card holder! If this was to go to court and they were to see that you had written on the back of the card See I.D. and they did not then they are the ones the CC company would go after. The buck has to stop some where! Stores have to stop thinking about just the BOTTOM LINE ! . When you have done all that you can to protect yourself from fraud and the store does not do their part ,well they are the ones that will have to put a minus on their BOTTOM LINE! . Don
http://usa.visa.com/business/ This is the where Visa tells retailers what to do. Specifically, check out Fraud Control Basics
