Senator Simcha Felder is warning New Yorkers to be wary of a new credit card scam that is becoming widespread. Perpetrators of the new Visa/Mastercard con are phoning people and providing them with detailed information about their credit, creating the appearance of genuine representatives of the credit card companies. They have all the information they need and are only seeking one item: Your PIN.

The persons calling identify themselves as part of the Security and Fraud Department at VISA or MasterCard. They explain that your card has been flagged for unusual activity. They provide you with detailed information from your card and bank and then ask if you have purchased an expensive item or service from a place you don’t recognize and/or a location you haven’t visited. When you deny the validity of the purchase, you are told that a credit is being issued to your account.

“Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to you,” you are told. “Is this still your address?” Your address is then read to you to verify. “I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, please call the 1-800 number listed on the back of your card and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number.” The caller then gives you a six-digit number.

Then the caller says, “I just need to verify that you are in possession of your card.” You are then asked for the security numbers on the back of your card. What the scammer is seeking is the three-digit PIN number on the back of the card.

“Scam artists have become more sophisticated than ever,” says Senator Felder. “That’s why all of us must remain vigilant to protect ourselves from being defrauded. If you believe you have been the victim of credit card fraud, first call the credit card company who will advise you of next steps, and then report the matter to your local police department.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)