Just to warn you folk so you dont get caught

 

The following warning was sent to all our dept' today - sounds convincing.
>If you hold a credit card you should be aware of the credit card scam noted
>below. Please take note.
>I received the following information from a member of staff and having had
>a need to talk to visa last week on a similar incident, I can confirm that
>this is happening. At this time of year approaching Christmas, please take
>note and be aware.
>
>"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 7numbers; 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 I 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................"