The caller identifies himself by name and says he’s “from the security and fraud department at Visa.” He provides a badge number as proof.
“Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I’m calling to verify,” he says with authority, mentioning the name of the bank that issued your card to confirm which credit card he’s investigating. “Did you purchase an anti-telemarketing device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona?”
When you answer no, he says Visa has been watching that company for these kinds of fraudulent charges. And Visa is going to “issue a credit to your account,” he says, stating your mailing address and asking if it’s correct.
Next he says he’s going to launch a fraud investigation. He gives you a “control number” and advises you to call the toll-free security telephone number on your credit card if you have questions.
When he asks you to read him the three-digit purchase code from the back of your card so he can “verify you are in possession of your card” and make sure it hasn’t been lost or stolen, you cooperate. After all, he’s not asking for your credit card number.
This is the latest credit card phone scam.
Both Visa and MasterCard know about the scam.
Although a MasterCard spokesman wasn’t able to say how many customers had been swindled, she says the script is designed to filch security code numbers. That code enables the holder to make purchases over the phone, through mail order or online. Many merchants won’t accept charges not made in person without the code.
Be skeptical
Credit card agents do occasionally call and ask to confirm information. To verify who the caller is, consumers should ask for their name, department and phone extension, then call the toll-free number on the credit card or account statement and ask whether the call was legit.
Also, use your credit card for online purchases only on secure Web sites (the URL will begin with “https,” not “http”).
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Edited by Lara Weber (lweber@tribune.com) and Chris Courtney (cdcourtney@tribune.com)
