Delivered-To: dfarber+@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2004 15:55:45 -0600
From: Clark Johnson <clarkjohnson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: David Farber: ;
For IP
This was forwarded from a good friend who is an employee of the State of MN.
I have every reason to believe this is real. Watch out.
Subject: Fwd: Fw: Credit Card Scam here's a doozie
"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 worked throughout the Midwest, with some
variance 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 in
Thursday from "MasterCard." It worked like this: Person calling says,
"This is Carl Patterson 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 issued by 5/3 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 800 number
listed on your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to
refer to this Control #". Then he gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need
me to read it again?" 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 purchases 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 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. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA security
dept. told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of
$497.99 WAS put on our card.
Long story made short...we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA
card and they are reissuing as a new number. What the scam wants is the 3
digit number and that 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 reinforced that they will never ask for anything on the card (they
already know).
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got 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 said they are
taking several of these reports daily and to tell friends, relatives and
coworkers."