From the Minneapolis Police Dept. SAFE Unit. Scam is pretty transparent, but might snag someone.
aware of. 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. 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?" 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?" 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 read it again?" 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 questions? Don't hesitate to call back if you do." 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. 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). Richardson of MasterCard" with a word for word repeat of the VISA Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up. taking several of these reports daily and to tell friends, relatives and coworkers.
Wayne Marsh Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA