Apparently there is a new scam going around as described below - I can't quite see how it works, but I pass the warning on for what its worth:-
The day after my neighbour handed me a description of how this scam worked I received a telephone call (on my answering machine) and was able to recognise it for what it was - an attempt to obtain those three digits from the back of my credit card.
As this was all they asked for the presumption was that "They" already knew my card number! When I checked the ring-back number that was left on my answering machine, the Credit Card Company did not know of it, so I closed my account and ordered new cards with a different number. I shall also be more careful now with telephone ordering so that the new card numbers do not get out. This is how my informant told me the scam worked:
Caller : "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 that was issued by (name of bank).
Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for 249.99 from a Marketing company based in (name of any town or city)?"
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. The charges range from 150 to 249, just under the 250 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Your account has been charged with 249. We will correct that before you next statement and send your credit 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 Q800 number listed on the back of your card, ask for (name) and refer to this Control Number (number). The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. do you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part of 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, that verifies 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.
My informant told me that when he had received this telephone call he did call back about twenty minutes later to ask a question. Of course he telephoned the REAL Visa Security Department and was he glad that he did! The REAL Visa Security Department told him it was a scam and that IN THE LAST 15 MINUTES a purchase of 249.99 had been charged to his card!
What the scammers want is the 3-digit 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 will never ask for anything on the card as they already know what is on it since they issued the card!
It looks an easy scam to spot but that's because we know all about it. I'm not sure if I would have been canny enough to spot it if I had not been forewarned. I would have seen the caller as "On my side" and could well have ended up by thanking him!
That's why I've taken the trouble to pass this message on to you. Perhaps you would like to warn the people in your address book.