It's hard to know what's true and who you can trust now days.  The best thing you can do is keep abreast of the scams that are current in the area and keep your guard up!  This scam could affect anyone that uses Credit Cards. Here's the latest:

I received this information from a friend who says it was checked on snopes, but I don't know what made them the experts.  I don't have a criminal mind so I would totally have fallen for this.  Would you?

The scam works like this:

You'll get a phone call and they'll introduce themselves by name.  They will claim to be representing the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. (or possibly another major credit card).  They'll even give you a badge number to make it more believable.  They'll tell you that your card was flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and they want to verify it.

THEY WILL HAVE ALL YOUR INFORMATION, MAKING THIS TOTALLY BELIEVABLE.  They'll tell you the type of card, the bank it was issued from and ask if you made a purchase, for instance, an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company.  When you say 'No', they will tell you they are issuing a credit to your account.  Leaving you feel relieved.  They'll continue making you feel more comfortable by saying that they have been watching the company and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Now that you feel they have your best interest in mind, they continue by giving you your address to verify which further wins your confidence, because they have it. You say 'yes'.

The caller will continue by telling you they'll start a Fraud Investigation and tell you to call the number on the back of your card and ask for Security if you have any questions. I would totally be buying into this!  Because then they give you a Control number you'll need if you call security and give you a six digit number.

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'. That makes sense, right?  They will want 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.  That's what they really want, the last 3 numbers.  After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, They'll VERIFY to you and tell you it's correct.  They say they needed to verify the card hasn't been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card.  They'll end the call asking if you have questions, which you won't because everything seemed so legit. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number.

Credit Cards companies say they will never ask for anything on the card, think about it, they already know the information, they issued the card to you!

If you receive a call you should call the police and file a report.

Pass this on to all your family and friends.

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