[s-cars] Scammer alert

[Jerry Scott]

Here's another scam alert that has been circulating, so I am passing it 
along since we are on the subject.
Jerry



This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the 
information, except the one piece they want.

WARNING...New Credit Card Scam.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. 
This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA 
&MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared 
to protect yourself.

One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was 
called on Thursday from "MasterCard".

The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (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. This would be on your VISA card which was issued 
by (name of 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 Number. 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, 
"I need 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 part of your card number, the next 3 are the security 
Numbers' that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the 
numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have 
the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. 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 REAL VISA 
Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a 
new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.

Long story made short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA 
account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want 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 directly for 
verification of their conversation. 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 more difficult 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 family and friends