This just in from my brother in
Brisbane & has been confirmed by the banks , through you all should know soas none of my fellow formit,s get,s caught out .
>
>Please be aware that it can happen
>
>CREDIT CARD SCAM
>
>When I received this email, I phoned Natalie Kent at the Local
>Government Association of Queensland (phone 07 3000 2239), and verified
>the accuracy of the content. Natalie confirmed this scam is real, and
>not a hoax email.
>
>This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &
>MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared
>to protect yourself. Con artists get more creative every day....
>
>My spouse was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on
>Thursday from MasterCard". The scam works like this:
>
>Person calling says, "this isand 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 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 and ask for Security. You will
>need to refer to this Control #." 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 your card number, 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".
>
>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 charge on our card.
>
>Long story made short, we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA
>card, and they are 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 direct. 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
>harder 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 friends. By informing each other, we
>protect each other.
>
>
>Natalie Kent Manager, Finance, Governance and Community Local Government
>Association of Queensland 25 Evelyn Street, Newstead PO Box 2230,
>Fortitude Valley BC
Brisbane QLD 4006