New Credit Card Scam

[havener]

Just had this one from our security people...

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

This one is pretty slick since they provide Y O U with all the information, except the one piece they want. Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.

You get a cold call from "VISA", or 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 London?"

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 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-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?"

IMPORTANT here's 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.

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 MasterCard 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 too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

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.

By informing each other, we protect each other.

[Alan]

Not a new scam but seems to be circulating again via email & bulletin boards. Actually started back in 2005 in the US: http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

[codprawn]

I still can't believe how readily everyone accepted "chip and pin" because it would reduce fraud - yeah right!!! In fact it has made things worse - and now you get bigger queues in petrol stations etc because of it.

Before chip and pin if a man had tried to use a woman's card he would have had no chance - now as long as you have the pin they don't care.

Even worse they are talking of using fingerprints next - without even needing a card. That's great considering how easy it is to lift a print off a glass or similar and duplicate it. Even better in the USA Disney takes everyones prints before letting them in the park - wonder how safe the data is???

[GuyP]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I still can't believe how readily everyone accepted "chip and pin" because it would reduce fraud - yeah right!!!

The real reason that Chip & Pin was pushed by the banks was because it takes liability for any fraud away from them.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by GuyP

The real reason that Chip & Pin was pushed by the banks was because it takes liability for any fraud away from them.

Yes bang on!!! What amazes me is why all the big supermarkets etc didn't try to fight it. They have even had to take on extra staff to cope with the dealys it has caused - not to mention the extra cost of equipment etc.

[Bigmuz7]

Yup .. I agree with all of that, especially how easy it is to lift a finger print, and stick it on your finger, it was shown on telly several months ago, frightening, and supermarkets, et al, want you to pay for shopping etc this way .. well it wont be me

[Alan]

Ahh, Codders fulminating about 'them'. Normality returns.

No chip and pin here. Signatures rarely checked. Be thankful for what you have.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Alan

Ahh, Codders fulminating about 'them'. Normality returns.

No chip and pin here. Signatures rarely checked. Be thankful for what you have.

And I wouldn't mind betting fraud is lower as well............

May I ask who is "them"???

[MikeCC]

Just to clarify, the 3 digit number on the back if the card is NOT a PIN. It is the Card Verification Value (CVV), but most (all?) online sales will require it. The number serves to show that you have the card in your possession.

In fact, anyone that physically takes your card for payment (obviously rarer these days) has every opportunity to see the CVV. They could then possibly use if for fraudulent purposes.

However, it is against Visa and Mastercard security regulations for anyone to store/retain the CVV.

If these scammers have card and address details but not the CVV then the data was probably stolen from someone you have bought from. Presumably this would be for delivery as most retail stores don't take address details for immediate purchases.

I guess the very simple way to avoid this scam is to say that you need to check your statement and you'll call them back.

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Alan

No chip and pin here. Signatures rarely checked. Be thankful for what you have.

Be thankful they are rarely checked...On one occasion, B&Q wouldn't sell me stuff cos they didn't believe I was me.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Be thankful they are rarely checked...On one occasion, B&Q wouldn't sell me stuff cos they didn't believe I was me.

I often use the Mrs's credit card 'cos we get airmiles type points with her card. Upon occasion when somesays 'Oi you aint Mrs X' all I've had to do is show some ID that I'm Mr X and Bob has been my mothers brother. An eminently sensible approach.

Codders, 'them' is whomever you are fulminating about, banks, government, businesses, just 'them' who are not doing it right in your humble opinion.

[codprawn]

Pretty apt - just seen this on the news.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/7133686.stm

[havener]

Why not just put a photo on the credit card? Would that not at least eliminate "over the counter" transaction fraud instantly?

[Simon B]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Pretty apt - just seen this on the news.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/7133686.stm

Thats what this was all about;

chip n pin scam

Why fuel stations? 24 hour a day transactions where people dont want to stop and talk, well maybe some. It might be even more efficient if the thieves could wifi the data out of the unit without having to remove it.

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Pretty apt - just seen this on the news.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/7133686.stm

Just down the road from me, I fill up there often or did

James