Editorial

Don't be taken in by latest credit card scam

Monday, November 16, 2009

The creativity of the criminal mind never ceases to amaze us.

The latest reinforces the advice to never give credit card information over the phone to anyone who calls you. That means ANY credit card information, including the three-digit PIN number on the back of your card.

According to information passed along by the McCook Police Department, the scam goes like this:

A caller says " This is (name) and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at (credit card company). 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 (credit card company) card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in ....?"

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 pat*tern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your name and ad*dress), is that correct?"

You say "yes." The caller continues, "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call 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 than says "I need to verify you are in possession of your cars." He'll then ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are seven numbers; the first four are part of your card number, the next three are the security numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you some*times use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card.

The caller will ask you to read the three numbers to him. After you tell the caller the three numbers, he'll say "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card ahs 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.

It turns out, the scammers already have your credit card number and other information, but just need the three*digit PIN number to complete the scam.

Don't give it to them!

If you don't notice the fraudulent charge until you receive your statement, at will be more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

Keep a close eye on your statements, and keep closer tabs on your accounts online or over by calling the actual credit card company over the phone.

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  • I'd recommend anytime you get a call from a credit card company to hang up and call the number on the back of your card.

    -- Posted by npwinder on Mon, Nov 16, 2009, at 1:43 PM
  • Scammers not only call you at home, they call you on your cell phone. Anything to make a buck and screw someone out of their money.

    The three digit pin number isn't needed to put money back into your account.

    I made a purchase at a local business and they made a mistake on the charge. Didn't take them long to correct the mistake and there was no need of the pin number. BEWARE!!!! Those scammers are getting pretty crafty anymore!

    -- Posted by edbru on Tue, Nov 17, 2009, at 6:58 AM
  • Don't need the PIN number for purchases made in person.

    -- Posted by norm on Tue, Nov 17, 2009, at 10:05 AM
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