| Credit Card Scam
You receive a telephone call, the caller gives his name and badge number (fictitious of course) and states that he is calling from Visa/MasterCard etc Security & Fraud Department.
He states that he is calling to verify a purchase made by you for an unusual item usually quite expensive (c£500) from a company based in (any town)
When you say 'no' the caller goes on to say, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account, this is a company we have been watching etc etc before your next statement the credit will be sent to (he gives you your address), is that correct?" Once you have confirmed this, the caller goes on to say that he will be starting a fraud investigation and if you have any questions you should call the 0800 number listed on your card and ask for Security. He will then give you a number to refer to.
He will then ask you to confirm you are in possession of your card - this is where the scam begins - they already have your card number but they need the security number (the last three numbers on the back of your card adjacent to your signature) these are required to perform purchases via the internet.
He will ask you to read him the numbers and then he will say "that is correct, I needed them to verify that you are indeed in possession of your card"
Usually within 15 minutes of hanging up, a substantial purchase will be made on your card. You will notice this on your next statement but, as you have been contacted and told to expect a credit you do nothing about it at that time - thus making it all the more difficult to investigate.
Remember, VISA/MASTERCARD etc will never contact you and ask you to give them details from you card - they already have them!
If you receive a call of this nature, hang up, report the matter to the issuing authority - never give card details to anyone on the phone and always ensure you dispose of your credit card receipts properly DO NOT put them in the bin at home, at a petrol station or shopping mall.  | 
Dementor
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