SCAMS and FRAUD
There are many e-mail and postal scams that are far too numerous to mention. They are often personalised and seem a good idea. However if the "offer" or "idea" seems too good to be true then it is likely to be a scam. In general if you receive unsolicited mail throw it away and if you do not recognise the sender or subject of an e-mail delete it without opening it. Never answer or send money to unsolicited mails.
13/07/10. The new telephone 'scam' has arrived....
I received a call from a 'representative' of BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment immediately of £31.00, or it would be £118.00 to re-connect at a later date. The guy wasn't even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental! I asked the guy's name - the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - & phone number - 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 . Obviously the fella realized I wasn't believing his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how & he told me to hang up & try phoning someone - he would disconnect my phone to prevent this. AND HE DID!! My phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned me again. Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there & then. I said that I didn't know how he'd done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn't believe his name or that he worked for BT. He hung up. Did 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognised.
I phoned the police to let them know, I wasn't the first! It's only just started
apparently but it is escalating. Their advice was to let as many people know
by word of mouth of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably
convince some people it's real, so please let as many friends & family aware
of this.
This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it should have
been 0800 800152 0800 800152 which takes you through to BT Business. The cutting
off of the line is very simple , he stays on the line with the mute button on
and you can't dial out - but he can hear you trying. (This is because the person
who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts
off and immediately calls back. You could almost be convinced!
The sad thing is that it is so simple that it will certainly fool the elderly
and vulnerable. Obviously, if this scam is real, once they have your credit/debit
card details, there is nothing to stop them cleaning out your account.
PS James Makepeace CM026 Neighbourhood Police Sergeant Horsham Police Station North Downs Division/Horsham District Neighbourhood Policing Team Hurst Road | Horsham | West Sussex | RH12 2DJ Telephone: 0845 60 70 999 ext: 30319 Mobile: 07825 115058 Voicemail: 17393
10/11/1009. Credit/Debit card scam.
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information,
except the one piece they want.
Note--- the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This
information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone
Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "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 correct?" You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works the caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card." He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say, "No," the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number.
The REAL VISA Security Department confirms it is a scam. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or MasterCard directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA say that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card!
If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
Money Laundering Scams. The Police compile regular reports on the level and nature of e-mails and mailings coming into the country. Please report these sort of e-mails to :- Financial Investment Unit, Sussex Police, Sussex Police Headquarters, Sussex House, Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton, BN1 8AF Telephone 01273 859128 .
Click here for information from the Sussex police website about COMPUTER fraud and how to avoid it.