Scam - how does it work?

Dec 02, 2004 2 Replies

How do they manage to make purchases considering all they ask for is the CVV (?) number on the back of the card?


>
> > Just been warned about this, and could potentially be
> > financially fatal so close to Christmas.
> >
> > Please pass on to all people on your mailing list. I got this
> > from a contact in the Halifax Visa team so it is happening!!
> >
> > Visa and MasterCard Scam. A friend was called on the telephone
> > this week from 'VISA' and I was called on Thursday from 'MasterCard'. > >
> > It worked like this: Person calling says, 'this is Carl
> > Patterson (any 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. Did you purchase an
> Anti-Telemarketing Company a device/any expensive
> > item,for 497.99 from a marketing company based in (any town?)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 (they give 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 your card and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this
> Control number. They then give 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' (this is where the scam takes place as up until now they have
> requested nothing!). They then ask you to turn your card over.
> >
> > There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are 1234 (or whatever, as they have your
> number anyway).
> >
> > The next 3 are the security numbers that verify that you are in possession
> of the card' (these are the numbers they are really after as these are the
> numbers you use to make internet purchases
> > to prove you have the card).
> >
> > 'Read me the 3 numbers.' When you do 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 telephoned 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 put 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 scam wants is the 3-digit number and
> that once the charge goes through, they keep changing every few days. By the
> time you get your statement, you think the credit is coming, and then it's
> harder to actually file a fraud report.
> >
> > THE REAL VISA/MASTERCARD DEPARTMENT REINFORCED THE POINT THAT THEY WILL
> NEVER ASK FOR ANYTHING ABOUT THE CARD SINCE THEY ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING
> ABOUT IT!!!!.
> >
> > What makes this even more remarkable is that on Thursday a friend of mine
> 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 co-workers so please pass this on to your
> friends.................
> >
> >

They would have to have your card number, address and expiry date already (+phone number).

The actual email is an urban legend - originally it was $497.99. However as has been stated before in this group - if the bank or CC company rings you it is for THEM to prove that they are who they claim to be.

Yes, someone reported this on uk.rec.cycling a few weeks back as having happened to them, turned out it had been sent by a friend and he had cut and pasted it, so its looks as if this UL is circulating around at the moment, look out for the phone one (dont dial 9 or press #90) to be coming your way soon. No doubt it could happen in reality but the amount of info they would already need to make the scam, they could use to defraud the cc company already.

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