Dangerousdave26
August 12th, 2009, 15:32
Normally I would not post or send on this type of information but the source to me is credible so I felt some of you may want or need to know it.
Lets start off with the basics
If someone ever calls you about a problem with any bank account or credit card NEVER PROVIDE OR VERIFY ANY INFORMATION. Good enough thats covered and if you remember it you will always be safe. Pretend your Sgt Schultz and know nothing. :icon_lol:
This is what was emailed to me today.
I shortened the name to help protect the individual who sent out this information. I also removed the phone numbers they don't need public broadcasting.
We have just learned about and have been asked to alert you to a new
phishing scam that has occurred with employees at the Social Security
Administration (SSA).
Please Do not give out ANY personal information over the phone, the
internet or via e-mail.
If you think the request is valid you should always contact the bank
yourself using the number on the back of your card.
If anyone ever gives out information they should immediately call their
bank. Note: The callers do not ask for your card number; they already
have it. By understanding how this works, you'll be better prepared to
protect yourself. An SSA employee was called on Wednesday from 'VISA',
and another call was received on Thursday from 'MasterCard'.The scam
works like this:
Caller: This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and
Fraud Department at VISA (or MasterCard). 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 (MasterCard) card which was issued by
(name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99
from a Marketing company based in Arizona?
o When you say 'No',
Caller: 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?
o You say 'yes'.
Caller: 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
Number. 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.
Caller: 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... please read the 3 numbers to me. After you tell the
caller the 3 numbers.
Caller: 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.
Caller: Thank you and 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 SSA was called on Wednesday, the SSA cardholder called
back within 20 minutes to ask a question.
The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last
15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to the card. SSA made a
real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing them 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 your
card issuing bank directly for verification of their conversation. The
real VISA told them 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 too late and/or
more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
Please pass this on to your cardholders, family and friends. By informing
each other, we protect each other.
R Smith
VA Office of Information & Technology
OI&T Comptroller
Senior IT Travel and Charge Card
Program Manager
{phone numbers deleted}
Lets start off with the basics
If someone ever calls you about a problem with any bank account or credit card NEVER PROVIDE OR VERIFY ANY INFORMATION. Good enough thats covered and if you remember it you will always be safe. Pretend your Sgt Schultz and know nothing. :icon_lol:
This is what was emailed to me today.
I shortened the name to help protect the individual who sent out this information. I also removed the phone numbers they don't need public broadcasting.
We have just learned about and have been asked to alert you to a new
phishing scam that has occurred with employees at the Social Security
Administration (SSA).
Please Do not give out ANY personal information over the phone, the
internet or via e-mail.
If you think the request is valid you should always contact the bank
yourself using the number on the back of your card.
If anyone ever gives out information they should immediately call their
bank. Note: The callers do not ask for your card number; they already
have it. By understanding how this works, you'll be better prepared to
protect yourself. An SSA employee was called on Wednesday from 'VISA',
and another call was received on Thursday from 'MasterCard'.The scam
works like this:
Caller: This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and
Fraud Department at VISA (or MasterCard). 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 (MasterCard) card which was issued by
(name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99
from a Marketing company based in Arizona?
o When you say 'No',
Caller: 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?
o You say 'yes'.
Caller: 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
Number. 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.
Caller: 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... please read the 3 numbers to me. After you tell the
caller the 3 numbers.
Caller: 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.
Caller: Thank you and 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 SSA was called on Wednesday, the SSA cardholder called
back within 20 minutes to ask a question.
The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last
15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to the card. SSA made a
real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing them 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 your
card issuing bank directly for verification of their conversation. The
real VISA told them 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 too late and/or
more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
Please pass this on to your cardholders, family and friends. By informing
each other, we protect each other.
R Smith
VA Office of Information & Technology
OI&T Comptroller
Senior IT Travel and Charge Card
Program Manager
{phone numbers deleted}