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POLICE
WARN OF NEW CREDIT CARD SCAM
The
Peoria Police Department is warning the public about a unique new
credit card scam. It is unusual because the callers are already in
possession of the victim’s credit card number and manage to trick
cardholders into divulging other critical card information – without
even knowing it.
The scam begins when the caller identifies him or herself and says
they’re from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. The caller
gives a Badge Number and says the victim’s card has been flagged for
an unusual purchase pattern. They go on to say it’s on the victim’s
VISA card issued by (bank name). They then ask the victim if he or
she has purchased an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a
Marketing company based in Arizona.
When the victim replies “no,” the callers explain that VISA has been
watching this company, suspecting it was responsible for fraudulent
charges just under the $500 purchase amount that normally flags
credit cards.
The callers then promise a credit on the next statement, sent to the
victim’s address, which they recite and ask if it’s correct. The
victim replies “yes” and the callers promise a Fraud Investigation.
They then give the victim a six digit “control number” and urge the
victim to call the 1-800 number on the back of their card if they
have questions.
The critical part of the scam occurs when the caller says he or she
must verify that the victim is in possession of the card by asking
them to read the three numbers following the account number on the
back of the card. That “security” number is often required to make
purchases over the internet. Once in possession of the “security
number,” the scammers are able to make fraudulent charges.
Victims of this scam actually say little more than “yes” or “no”
until the end of the conversation, yet give out critical
information. For more information about how to protect yourself from
all types of fraud or to report fraud, visit or call the National
Fraud Information Center at
www.fraud.org or
1-800-876-7060.
For more information contact Public Information Officer Jay
Davies at (623) 773-7019 or page him at (602) 208-9081.
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