MARATHON CO. SHERIFF WARNS OF NEW SCAM
Monday, March 20th, 2006 -- 11:30 AM
An area law enforcement agency is warning of a VISA and MasterCard telephone credit card scam. The Marathon County Sheriff?s Department says this scam is especially ?believable? because the scammers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.Callers say they?re from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. They even give a badge number. They say your credit card has been ?flagged? for an unusual purchase pattern. They go on to explain a fictitious charge is showing up on your bill.
The scammers eventually ask you to verify you?re in possession of your card by reading the card?s three ?security numbers?. The numbers are actually a ?PIN? number, and the scammers will make charges to your account within minutes of receiving that information.
Officials warn you should never give out personal information such as: Date of birth, Social Security numbers, bank account information, PIN numbers or credit card numbers.
If you receive such a call, you should contact your local law enforcement agency.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.