| Off-Line Identity Theft: For the past five | | | | remaining 3 are the security numbers that |
| years I have taught over 1150 people how to | | | | verify that you are in possession of the |
| protect yourself on and off line. There is a | | | | card. These are the numbers you sometimes |
| new scam where the thief already has | | | | use to make Internet purchases to prove you |
| information about you. They are trying to | | | | have the card. Please read the 3 numbers on |
| get some additional information to complete a | | | | the card. |
| sales transaction. | | | | |
| | | | Recipient: (Reads the three numbers). |
| In some of the e-mails and web sites this | | | | |
| scam is being referred to as Visa and | | | | Caller: That is correct. I just needed to |
| MasterCard Credit Card Scam. This scam is | | | | verify that the card was not lost or stolen |
| being done using the phone. | | | | and that you still had the card. Do you |
| | | | have any questions? |
| The script below is of a typical call for | | | | |
| this scam: | | | | Recipient: No. |
| | | | |
| Caller: I'm calling from the Security and | | | | Caller: Thanks and don't hesitate to call |
| Fraud Department at Visa (MasterCard, | | | | the 800 number on the back of the card if you |
| American Express, and Discover are also being | | | | do. (Caller hangs up). You actually say very |
| used). My badge # is 12550. Your credit | | | | little. The reason why they are asking for |
| card has been flagged for an unusual purchase | | | | the information sounds very real. They never |
| pattern and I am calling to verify that you | | | | ask you for the credit card number. That is |
| made the purchase. This would be your isa | | | | because they already had the card number, |
| card which was issued by (name of bank). Did | | | | bank, and your name. It is very easy to look |
| you purchase an Anti-Marketing Device for | | | | up your phone number on line. |
| $497.99 from a Marketing company based in | | | | |
| Arizona? | | | | Since the scammers do not have possession of |
| | | | your card, they want to make a purchase |
| Recipient: No. | | | | online. Having the three digit code, |
| | | | sometimes called Credit Verification Number, |
| Caller: Then we will be issuing a credit to | | | | they can make any purchase on line. |
| your account. This is a company we have | | | | |
| been watching and the charges range from $297 | | | | Whenever someone calls you about your credit |
| to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern | | | | card information do not give it to them. You |
| that flags most cards. Before your next | | | | want to be the one initiating the call for a |
| statement, the credit will be sent to (gives | | | | purchase or account verification. In this |
| you your address). Is that the correct | | | | case, I would have hung up the phone and |
| address? | | | | called the bank that issued the card |
| | | | directly. They will only verify that it was |
| Recipient: Yes. | | | | a scam. In the example above you thought you |
| | | | were getting a credit, so many times people |
| Caller: I will be starting a fraud | | | | will give out that information. The bank |
| investigation. If you have any questions, | | | | will also ask you to file a police report. |
| you should call the 1-800 number listed on | | | | |
| the back of your credit card and ask for | | | | The scammer could have gotten the credit card |
| Security. You will need to refer to this | | | | number from anywhere you visited. It could |
| control number. The caller then gives you a | | | | be a worker at a restaurant, store, garage, |
| 6 digit number. Do you want me to read the | | | | over hearing you on a public or cell phone, |
| number again? | | | | your unattended wallet or purse, trash, |
| | | | recycle, a new card or statement in your |
| Recipient: Yes, or No. | | | | mailbox, etc. |
| | | | |
| Caller: I need to verify that you are in | | | | Please e-mail me with your computer |
| possession of your card. Turn your credit | | | | questions. This is your newsletter. I want |
| card over. There are seven numbers there. | | | | to help you to use your computer efficiently. |
| The first 4 are part of the credit card, the | | | | |