Clever new credit card scam warning

newshound · 2010-11-18T14:01:51+00:00

Passed on from work:WILTSHIRE POLICE Keeping you informed.Swindon Police Station Gablecross Shrivenham Road South Marston Swindon Wiltshire SN3 4RB Telephone: 0845 408 7000Hi all,This has been passed on via another Force area through our own Fraud Department In Wiltshire Constabulary, and it is a very convincing SCAM. We have been asked to disseminate the information as widely and as quickly as we can through Neighbourhood Watch, School Safe and others.This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want. 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 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...

Nov 18, 2010 21 Replies

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Jules Richardson 15 years ago

My registered phone number for my cc company is at my parents' house, which is handy - if they need to contact me, they call there, and my folks can then let me know to call them back (using the number on the back of my card). If I get a call from visa or my bank directly to my phone number in the US, I know it's got to be a scam.

cheers

Jules

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John Whitworth 15 years ago

Of course, alarm bells should start ringing straight away, as Visa or MasterCard will never ring a cardholder. You would be called by your issuing bank, not the card scheme, as it's issuer that you have a contract with. Visa/MasterCard don't know you from Adam.

Saw an interesting presentation the other day, about something called Visa CodeSure.

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basically combines the existing CAP/DPA reader, which many people have for online banking, with the card itself. I already knew of this from Cartes

2008, but what I didn't realise is that the card can also be used for a cardholder to ascertain that he/she is actually talking to the bank. I.e. when the call is initiated, the bank employee can give the cardholder a code to verify using the card. So effectively, a two-way authentication can take place. Then it's just down to consumer education again.

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