New credit card phone scam

[SuzyQBC]

I received this email this morning from Brenda at Northwest Training, who received it from Tammy at Scotiabank. This is an authenticated scam. The gist of the warning is - no credit card company will ever phone you and ask for ANY number off your credit card - even to verify if you have it in your possession. Here's the write up, and you can find more info on sites like Snopes.com

FYI: Visa Fraud


VISA FRAUD
>
> Just a heads up for everyone regarding the latest in Visa fraud. Royal
> Bank of Canada received this communication about the newest scam.
>
> This is happening in southern Alberta right now and moving. This one is
> pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the
> one piece they want.. Note, the callers do not ask for your card number;
> they already have it.
>
> This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &
> MasterCard telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared
> to protect yourself. One of our employees was called on Wednesday from
> 'VISA', and I was called on Thursday from'MasterCard'.
>
> The scam works like this:
>
>
> Person calling says, 'This is (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.
> This would be on your VISA 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 ?' 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 (gives 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 1- 800 number listed on the back
> of your card (1-800-VISA) 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:
>
> The caller then says, '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 last
> 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. The caller will ask you to read the last 3
> numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say,
> '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, the caller then thanks you and states, 'Don't hesitate
> to call back if you do', and hangs up. You actually say very little, and
> they never ask for or tell you the card number.
>
> But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back. Within 20 minutes
> to ask a question. Are we were 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 charged to our card.
>
> We made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is
> reissuing us 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 VISA or Master Card directly for verification of their
> conversation.
>
> The real VISA told us 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.
>
> What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a
> '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. The police said they are taking several
> of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know
> that this scam is happening. I dealt with a similar situation this
> morning, with the caller telling me that $3,097 had been charged to my
> account for plane tickets to Spain , and so on through the above routine.
>
> It appears that this Is a very active scam, and evidently quite
successful.
>
> Pass this on to all your family and friends