Heads Up: Watch Out for This Credit Card Scam

Just a quick heads up, there’s a phone scam going around right now, starting in the Midwest and apparently spreading. It’s tricky because the callers already have most of your info and sound very convincing.

The way it works is pretty simple:

• Someone calls saying they’re from Visa or MasterCard’s fraud department. They’ll throw out a badge number and even name your bank to make it sound real.

• They’ll claim your card was flagged for a charge, usually just under $500, and ask if you made the purchase. Of course, you’ll say no.

• Then they’ll say they’re crediting your account and even give you a “case number” to make it sound official.

Here’s the catch: they don’t ask for your card number they already have that. What they want is the three-digit code on the back. Once you read it off to them, they can start running charges in your name.

Bottom line:

• Visa and MasterCard will never call asking for numbers off your card, they have all that information already since they’ve were the one who issued you, your card.

• If you get a call like this, hang up and call the number on the back of your card yourself.

• Don’t give them anything.

  
  

Pass this along to friends and family. The more people know about it, the fewer get burned.