just been sent this email at work scam listed below,

Dear Members,

I have just been advised about a new scam that is being worked on credit card users as follows:-

A friend was called on the telephone this week from 'VISA' and I was
called >on Thursday from 'MasterCard'.

It worked like this: Person calling says, 'this is Carl Patterson (any
name) and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA/MASTERCARD. My
Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual
purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify.

Did you purchase an (Anti-Telemarketing device/any expensive item) for
#497.99 from a marketing company based in (any town)?'

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 (they give 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 0800
number listed on your card and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this
Control number'.

They then give you a 6-digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'
Caller then says he 'needs to verify you are in possession of your card'
this is where the scam takes place as up until now they have requested
nothing!).

They then ask you to turn your card over.

There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are 1234 (or whatever, as they have your
number anyway). The next 3 are the security numbers that `verify that you
are in possession of the card' (these are the numbers they are really
after as these are the numbers you use to make internet purchases to
prove you have the card)..

'Read me the 3 numbers.' When you do he says 'That is correct. I just
needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you
still have your card. Do you have any other questions? Don't hesitate to
call back if you do.'

You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card
number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we telephoned back within
20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA security
department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new
purchase of #497.99 WAS put on our card.

Long story made short. We made a real fraud report and closed the VISA
card and they are reissuing us a new number.

What the scam wants is the 3-digit number and that once the charge goes
through, they keep changing every few days. By the time you get your
statement, you think the credit is coming, and then it's harder to
actually file a fraud report.

THE REAL VISA/MASTERCARD DEPARTMENT REINFORCED THE POINT THAT THEY WILL
NEVER ASK FOR ANYTHING ABOUT THE CARD SINCE THEY ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING
ABOUT IT!!!!.

What makes this even more remarkable is that on Thursday a friend of mine
got a call from 'Jason Richardson of MasterCard' with a word for word
repeat of the VISA Scam.

This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up. We filed a police report
(as instructed by VISA), and they said they are taking several of these
reports >daily and to tell friends, relatives and co-workers so please
pass this on to your friends

The above could be a hoax, alternatively, it could affect all members and
staff, so please ensure all staff are alerted to this, including staff in
educational and Social Services establishments.

Hope this is of benefit to you. Please feel free to pass it on to your
family and friends. Sorry if you have already received this warning from
another source.

Davy

This was running around in Australia a few months ago - looks like it might have migrated to England now.

Brian

Thanks for the warning Davy.
Haven't heard of this scam in Denmark yet, but I'm sure it's either here or will be very soon.

those bastards

Most fraud departments will ask you a few question like did you purhase (this or that). If you say no they ask you to call the number on the back of your ard. They will not give you a new number.

Thanks for the heads up.