Crime Report for February 19, 2010 through February 26, 2010
On Friday, February 19, 2010 an email was sent to me by Sgt D. B. Swiger of the West Virginia State Police. Please read the following and pass the information along to your friends and family so they are familiar with this credit card scam.
Credit Card Scam
The following was provided by a would-be victim – It checks out as verified and “TRUE” – Jim Richards, CISO
“This scam is pretty slick since they provide you with all the information, except the one piece they want.
Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it…
This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & Master Card Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you’ll be better prepared to protect yourself.
One of our employees was called on Wednesday from ‘VISA’, and I was called on Thursday from ‘Master Card’.. The scam works like this: Caller: ‘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 ?’
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 next 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. The 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 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?’ After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, “Don’t hesitate to call back if you do”, and hangs up.
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.
Long story – 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. 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. However, by the time you get your statement you’ll see charges for purchases you didn’t make, and by then it’s almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a ‘Jason Richardson of Master Card’ 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. 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.
CASE #10-0585 EMBEZZLEMENT On Friday, February 19, 2010, Lt. Stiles received a telephone call from a business in Reedsville to report an embezzlement. This investigation is continuing.
CASE #10-0586 FRAUD On Friday, February 19, 2010, Lt. Stiles received a call from a resident in Masontown who wanted to report a fraudulent telephone call he had received earlier this date. The call received was an automated voice telling the victim that their Clear Mountain Bank ATM card was about to expire and it needed renewed. The victim did not have an ATM card. The victim did not provide any information.
CASE #10-0591 FRAUD On Friday, February 19, 2010, Lt. Stiles received a call from a resident in Reedsville who reported that he had received two calls during the night which were automated messages mentioning his Clear Mountain Bank account. No information was provided.
CASE #10-608 HIT-N-RUN On Saturday, February 20, 2010, a call was received by Lt. Stiles that a vehicle parked along Main Street near McDonalds in Kingwood had been struck causing damage to the driver’s side mirror. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Stiles.
CASE #10-0620 SHOPLIFTING On Saturday, February 20, 2010, Deputy S. R. Mitter received a call in regards to a shoplifting complaint at Wal-Mart in Kingwood. The individual was issued a citation.
CASE #10-0602 BREAKING AND ENTERING On Sunday, February 21, 2010, Lt. Stiles received a call from a resident in the Tunnelton area who reported that his garage had been broken into and two chainsaws and a kayak were taken. One chainsaw has been recovered. Anyone with information about a kayak, yellow in color, is asked to call Lt. Stiles. This investigation is continuing.
CASE #10-604 HIT-N-RUN On Sunday, February 21, 2010, a call was received by Corporal Bryan that a parked vehicle along Cherry Street in Masontown had been struck causing damage to the door. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. Bryan.
CASE #10-0625 BURGLARY On Monday, February 22, 2010, Deputy Rodeheaver received a call from a Terra Alta resident who stated that a man dressed in a dark coat and pants was seen leaving his neighbors residence on Main Street. Pry marks were located but no entry was noted.
CASE #10—614 HIT-N-RUN On Monday, February 22, 2010, Lt. Wotring had received a call that a vehicle had been struck in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Kingwood. Anyone who may have witnessed this is asked to contact Lt. Wotring.
CASE #10-0618 DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY On Monday, February 22, 2010, a call was received by Cpl. Dotson regarding a destruction of property complaint in the Tunnelton area. Officer’s responded and documented the damages. This investigation is continuing.
CASE #10-0633 BURGLARY On Tuesday, February 23, 2010, Cpl. Bryan received a call from a resident in the Kingwood area who stated that his apartment had been broken into.
CASE #10-0634 BURGLARY On Tuesday, February 23, 2010, a call was received by Deputy Palmer of a burglary that occurred at a residence on Myers Road in Bruceton Mills. Several items were taken. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy Palmer.
CASE #10-0648 DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY On Wednesday, February 24, 2010, Deputy Rodeheaver received a call from a resident in the Aurora area who reported that his red metal gate had been shot. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy Rodeheaver.
CASE #10-0671 LARCENY On Wednesday, February 24, 2010, Sgt. Turner was notified of a trailer registration that was either lost or stolen in the Kingwood area. The registration number was provided as C204965. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Turner.
CASE #10-0650 LARCENY On Wednesday, February 24, 2010, Deputy Palmer received a call from a resident of Arthurdale stating that sometime during the night his vehicle’s were broken into and his work laptop and an Ipod were stolen. This investigation is continuing.
CASE #10-0657 LARCENY On Thursday, February 25, 2010, Deputy Mitter responded to a larceny complaint in the Terra Alta area. Alcohol and a power drill were missing from the residence. This is a continuing investigation.
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