Cranfield Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 I know we are all far too intelligent to get caught by a telephone scam, but do you have older relatives, or younger friends that might ? I found this warning on another Forum and thought it worth passing on. " Visa and MasterCard Scam. A friend was called on the telephone this week from 'VISA' and I was called on Thursday from 'MasterCard'. It worked like this: Person calling says, 'this is Carl Patterson (any 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. Did you purchase from an Anti-Telemarketing Company a device/any expensive item, for £497.99 from a marketing company based in (any town?) 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 (they give 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 0800 number listed on your card and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control number. They then give you a 6-digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?' Caller then says he 'needs to verify you are in possession of your card' (this is where the scam takes place as up until now they have requested nothing!). They then ask you to turn your card over. There are 7numbers; the first 4 are 1234 (or whatever, as they have your number anyway). The next 3 are the security numbers that verify that you are in possession of the card' (these are the numbers they are really after, as these are the numbers you use to make internet purchases to prove you have the card). 'Read me the 3 numbers.' When you do he says '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? Don't hesitate to call back if you do.' You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we telephoned 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 put 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 scam wants is the 3-digit number and that once the charge goes through, they keep changing every few days. By the time you get your statement, you think the credit is coming, and then it's harder to actually file a fraud report. THE REAL VISA/MASTERCARD DEPARTMENT REINFORCED THE POINT THAT THEY WILL NEVER ASK FOR ANYTHING ABOUT THE CARD SINCE THEY ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!!!!. What makes this even more remarkable is that on Thursday I got a call from '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), and they said they are taking several of these reports daily and to tell friends, relatives and co-workers so please pass this on to your friends................" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEREGRINE Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Cranfield thanks very much for that advice, the caller sounds very plausable and to tell you the truth had they called me I would have fallen for it. These fraudsters are clever ******** once again thanks. Peregrine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Cranfield Thanks for the alert. I have printed it off, and circulated it around my staff. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Cheers craners very helpful, I'll email it to my mates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Bloody hell ! Don't tell everybody about it ! I'll never be able to purchase me ciggy's , to smoke with a pint . !!! all the best yis yp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Too late YP, we have been told now. Anyway your accent was a dead give away when you rang me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Doh! Been doing the rounds for a few years now. You must have seen this before ' agents or representatives of ......... will never ask for passwords etc. etc. etc. Bumpkins and carrot crunchers You lot need your mammys to hold your hands, everywhere LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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