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