Off-Line Identity Theft: For the past five years I have taught over 1150 people how to protect yourself on and off line. There is a new scam where the thief already has information about you. They are trying to get some additional information to complete a sales transaction.

In some of the e-mails and web sites this scam is being referred to as Visa and MasterCard Credit Card Scam. This scam is being done using the phone.

The script below is of a typical call for this scam:

Caller: Im calling from the Security and Fraud Department at Visa (MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are also being used). My badge # is 12550. Your credit card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern and I am calling to verify that you made the purchase. This would be your isa card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Marketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in Arizona?

Recipient: No.

Caller: 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 the correct address?

Recipient: Yes.

Caller: 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 credit card and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this control number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. Do you want me to read the number again?

Recipient: Yes, or No.

Caller: I need to verify that you are in possession of your card. Turn your credit card over. There are seven numbers there. The first 4 are part of the credit card, the remaining 3 are the security numbers that verify that you are in possession of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. Please read the 3 numbers on the card.

Recipient: (Reads the three numbers).

Caller: That is correct. I just needed to verify that the card was not lost or stolen and that you still had the card. Do you have any questions?

Recipient: No.

Caller: Thanks and dont hesitate to call the 800 number on the back of the card if you do. (Caller hangs up). You actually say very little. The reason why they are asking for the information sounds very real. They never ask you for the credit card number. That is because they already had the card number, bank, and your name. It is very easy to look up your phone number on line.

Since the scammers do not have possession of your card, they want to make a purchase online. Having the three digit code, sometimes called Credit Verification Number, they can make any purchase on line.

Whenever someone calls you about your credit card information do not give it to them. You want to be the one initiating the call for a purchase or account verification. In this case, I would have hung up the phone and called the bank that issued the card directly. They will only verify that it was a scam. In the example above you thought you were getting a credit, so many times people will give out that information. The bank will also ask you to file a police report.

The scammer could have gotten the credit card number from anywhere you visited. It could be a worker at a restaurant, store, garage, over hearing you on a public or cell phone, your unattended wallet or purse, trash, recycle, a new card or statement in your mailbox, etc.

Please e-mail me with your computer questions. This is your newsletter. I want to help you to use your computer efficiently.

John Gontowicz

Author of Computers 101: The Questions You Were Afraid to Ask, and How to Keep Your Computer Running Stronger, Longer and Faster. www.yourpcguide.com

Your Computer Connection
By John Gontowicz
http://www.yourpcguide.com - http://www.specialofferslive.com
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