WARNING!!!!! New Credit card Scam !!!!!

Got this from the security dept of a major Canadian Bank....beware

WARNING...New Credit Card Scam.


>
> ha Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; THEY already have
it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &
MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared
to protect yourself.
>
> ha My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on
Thursday from "MasterCard".
>
> ha The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and
I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge
Number hais 12460 your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase
pattern, and haI'm hacalling to verify. This would be on your VISA card
which was issued by ha(name of bank). Did you purchase an
Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in
Arizona?"
>
> ha 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?" haYou
say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud
investigation.
>
> ha 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. haYou 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?"
>
> ha 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".
>
> ha 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 next
> ha 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. haThe caller will ask you to read the 3
numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say,
"That is correct, I just haneeded to verify that the card has not been
lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other
questions?" After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states,
"Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.
>
> ha You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the
Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called 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 charged to our card.
>
> ha Long story made short - we made a real fraud report and closed the
VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want
is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to
them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for
verification of their conversation.
>
> ha The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the
card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If
you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're
receiving a credit. haHowever, by the time you get your statement you'll
see charges for purchases hayou didn't make, and by then it's almost to
late and/or more difficult to haactually file a fraud report.
>
> ha What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call
from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of
the VISA hascam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a
Police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking
several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we
know that this scam is happening.

Should you encounter someone presenting a fraudulent item, using bogus identification or otherwise believe you have a fraud in progress, please contact your local police