Alert: New Credit Card Scam (7/10/2009)

There's a new credit card scam that's making headlines today. It's been verified by Snopes.com. Below is an excerpt from an e-mail I received from our security department. It includes an explanation of how the scam works.

This scam 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.

The scam works like this:
Person calling says, 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security & 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 last 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 last 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. Once they have the 3-digit security code, they will make several new purchases to your card, in any amount.

Fraud investigators are not sure exactly how the scammers are getting your visa number. Obviously, a number of people see your card everyday, from restaurant servers to check-out employees at stores. The simple solution to protect yourself is to never give ANY information on your credit card to anyone you don't know or trust.