VISA and MASTERCARD scam
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 10:43 am
My mom received this email from one of her friends, on which the scam had really happened to them.
Please read the message below.....
We all receive emails all the time regarding one scam or another; but last week I REALLY DID get scammed! Both VISA and MasterCard told me that this scam is currently being working throughout the Midwest, with some variances as to the product or amount, and if you are called, just hang up.
My husband was called on Wednesday from VISA and I was called on Thursday from MasterCard. It worked like this: Person calling says, "This is Carl Patterson and I'm calling from the security 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 issued by 5/3 bank. Did you purchase and 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 your your address), is this correct?
You say "yes". The caller continues... "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 800 number listed on your card 1-800-VISA and ask for security. You will beed to refer to this control #". Then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?" The caller then says he "needs to verify you are in possession of your card. Turn the card over. There are 7 numbers; first 4 are 1234 (whatever) 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 purcahses to prove you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers." Then he says, "That is correct. I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you are 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 called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. We are glad we did! The REAL VISA security department told us that is was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 WAS put on our card!
Long story 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! Once the charge goes through, they keep charging every few days. By the time you get your statement, you think the credit is coming, and then its harder to actually file a fraud report. The real VISA re-enforced that they will never ask for anything on the card (they already know the numbers!)
What makes this remarkable is that on Thursday, I received 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 are taking several of these reports daily and to tell relatives, friends and co-workers!
Please read the message below.....
We all receive emails all the time regarding one scam or another; but last week I REALLY DID get scammed! Both VISA and MasterCard told me that this scam is currently being working throughout the Midwest, with some variances as to the product or amount, and if you are called, just hang up.
My husband was called on Wednesday from VISA and I was called on Thursday from MasterCard. It worked like this: Person calling says, "This is Carl Patterson and I'm calling from the security 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 issued by 5/3 bank. Did you purchase and 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 your your address), is this correct?
You say "yes". The caller continues... "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 800 number listed on your card 1-800-VISA and ask for security. You will beed to refer to this control #". Then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?" The caller then says he "needs to verify you are in possession of your card. Turn the card over. There are 7 numbers; first 4 are 1234 (whatever) 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 purcahses to prove you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers." Then he says, "That is correct. I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you are 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 called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. We are glad we did! The REAL VISA security department told us that is was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 WAS put on our card!
Long story 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! Once the charge goes through, they keep charging every few days. By the time you get your statement, you think the credit is coming, and then its harder to actually file a fraud report. The real VISA re-enforced that they will never ask for anything on the card (they already know the numbers!)
What makes this remarkable is that on Thursday, I received 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 are taking several of these reports daily and to tell relatives, friends and co-workers!