Scam alert!

[Wrench]

I was the victim of two scam attempts this week and I'm trying to help spread the word.

The first happened last Sunday. A person called saying they were from the fraud department at my credit card company. This person already had some of my information such as my credit card number, address and telephone number. They called saying that there were some unauthorized transactions charged to my account and that they needed me to verify some information so they could close my account and issue a new card. The asked for my social and the 3-digit code on the back of the card. I was suspicious, so I refused the information and called my CC company right away. They informed me that the call was phony. So then I had my card cancelled and a new one issued. Apparently the person was trying to get ahold of the missing information they needed to be able to use the card.

The second happened last night. Someone called passing themselves off as an agent from the IRS. I wasn't home, so my gf tried to take a message but they wouldn't give a name or a callback number. Both suspicios. The second thing was that they called at 6pm. IRS offices close at 4. Third, the IRS normally contacts you with issues through the mail, not by phone. The didn't call back like they said they would, but I assume they were trying to get social security numbers.

[crp]

thanks for the heads up.

[hubris007]

I was walking down the street downtown and this guy came up to me. He said he was from the office of homeland security and he needed to verify my citizenship. He wanted my SS# and at least two forms of id including at least one major credit card.



Luckily i had all of that on me, so i didn't have any problems providing him with the info he needed. Just wanted to pass it along so you all would know that you need to keep that info on you at all times.

[masterswimmer]

Thank the caller profusely and provide them with totally incorrect information. When they use the card, maybe a flag will go up with the cc company and they'll alert the proprietor. If not, at least the scammer will have wasted even more time.

swimmer

[dc]

Unfortunately many people are so clueless and hand out this info freely.

[hubris007]

No doubt.....hey wait a minute.....what are you trying to imply dc?

[BigSkyBart]

Originally posted by hubris007
No doubt.....hey wait a minute.....what are you trying to imply dc?

[Scuba_Dave]

Originally posted by masterswimmer
Thank the caller profusely and provide them with totally incorrect information. When they use the card, maybe a flag will go up with the cc company and they'll alert the proprietor. If not, at least the scammer will have wasted even more time.

swimmer

That's a great idea, but I would be worried something might still go thru even with incorrect information

I never respond to any phone call, MAIL or E-mail requests for information. I always initiate the contact with my CC companies

[TheBimbo]

Yeah same thing happened to us a while back, it was a store that we don't even shop at, sooo hubby got really nasty with them and hung up ...




Christy...

[Aliie]

I've gotten the IRS call at 7 pm on a Friday night. Yeah right! Like they are still working, hello!