Scammers are at it again...

There's a new credit card scam and it's hitting pretty close to home- most recently reported just over the Kansas line. It's a clever scheme, so read carefully. Bear in mind, the caller already has your credit card number, what they want is the three digit code off the back of the card:

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 three 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 three numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 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'.

Within minutes of getting the three digit number, the scammer is able to make on line purchases with your card. Chances are you won't call the credit card company back to verify any of this. After all, it had to be somebody official, they had all my information, right?

Note that the credit card company will never ask you for information they already know, including the three digit number on the back of the card. If you suspect anything suspicious, hang up and call the credit card company directly to verify any information.