Scammers trying to get your financial info-Truth!

Crooks Using Clever Schemes to Try to Get Your Personal Financial Information-Truth!

Summary of the eRumor Various emails, telephone calls, or letters claiming to be from financial institutions, retailers, or websites and saying that they need you to verify your personal financial information. Some of them say your credit card may have been used in a fraudulent transaction that they are calling to unravel the details. Some claim that you must periodically verify your information in order to keep using their services.


The Truth There are numerous emails warning of this activity. Some even are disguised to look as thought they have come from people you might recognize, like Hillary Clinton or FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III. We haven't verified whether each of the specific personal stories in the eRumors is true...but the bottom line is there is a lot of activity by clever crooks to try to trick you into revealing credit card numbers, personal identification (PIN) numbers, Social Security numbers, ATM codes, and any other information that will either give them access to your money or allow them to misuse your credit cards or steal your identity financially. It's a procedure that has come to be known as "Phishing." It is an attempt on the part of scammers to trick you into going to their website by telling you that you are either going to lose your credit privileges or there has been fraudulent use of your credit card. If you respond to the link or telephone number provided, it asks you to confirm your information including your credit card data. It is a scam that is designed to trick you into given personal and financial information to people who will misuse it and, perhaps, steal your identity. Various emails have claimed to be from VISA, Mastercard, PayPal, Best Buy, Citibank, and other financial institutions. One of them simply refers to your "U.S. Bank." Another version of this eRumor that said it was from PayPal was actually considered a virus. CLICK HERE for more on that. updated 10/07/11
A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:
Version #1: Subject: FW: New twist on credit card scam - Be careful!! We all receive emails all the time regarding one scam or another; but last week I REALLY DID get scammed! Both VISA and MasterCard told me that this scam is currently being worked throughout the Midwest, with some as to the product or amount, and if you are called, just hang up. My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA" and I was called in Thursday from "MasterCard". It worked like this: Person calling says, "This is Carl Patterson 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 issued by 5/3 bank. Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona?" 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 800 number listed on your card 1-800-VISA and ask for Security. you will need to refer to this Control #". Then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?" Caller then says he "needs to verify you are in possession of your card. Turn the card over. There are 7 numbers; first 4 are 1234(whatever) the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are in possession of the card. These are the numbers you use to make internet purchases to prove you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers." Then he says "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? Don't hesitate to call back if you do." You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA security dept. told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 WAS put on our card. Long story made short...we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA card and they are reissuing as a new number. What the scam wants is the 3 digit number! and that once the charge goes through, they keep charging every few days. By the time you get your statement, you think the credit is coming, and then its harder to actually file a fraud report. The real VISA reinforced that they will never ask for anything on the card (they already know). What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word for word repeat of the VISA Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up. We filed a police report (as instructed by VISA), and they said they are taking several of these reports daily and to tell friends, relatives and co-workers. Version #2: Dear U.S. Bank account holder, We regret to inform you, that we had to block your U.S. Bank account because we have been notified that your account may have been compromised by outside parties. Our terms and conditions you agreed to state that your account must always be under your control or those you designate at all times. We have noticed some activity related to your account that indicates that other parties may have access and or control of your information in your account. These parties have in the past been involved with money laundering, illegal drugs, terrorism and various Federal Title 18 violations. In order that you may access your account we must verify your identity by clicking on the link below. Please be aware that until we can verify your identity no further access to your account will be allowed and we will have no other liability for your account or any transactions that may have occurred as a result of your failure to reactivate your account as instructed below. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. https://www.usbank.com/account_verify/cgi/index.htm Before you reactivate your account, all payments have been frozen, and you will not be able to use your account in any way until we have verified your identity. Version #3: Subject: SCAM with VISA and MC We all receive emails all the time regarding one scam or another; but last week I REALLY DID get scammed! Both VISA and MasterCard told me that this scam is currently being worked throughout the Midwest, with some variance as to the product or amount, and if you are called, just hang up. My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA" and I was called in Thursday from "MasterCard." It worked like this: Person calling says, "This is Carl Patterson (any 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 issued by 5/3 bank. Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona?" 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 800 number listed on your card 1-800-VISA and ask for Security. you will need to refer to this Control #." Then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?" Caller then says he "needs to verify you are in possession of your card. Turn the card over. There are 7 numbers; first 4 are 1234 (whatever) the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are in possession of the card. These are the numbers you use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers." Then he says "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? Don't hesitate to call back if you do." You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA security dept. told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 WAS put on our card. Long story made short . . . we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA card and they are reissuing as a new number. What the scam wants is the 3 digit number and that once the charge goes through, they keep charging every few days. By the time you get your statement, you think the credit is coming, and then its harder to actually file a fraud report. The real VISA reinforced that they will never ask for anything on the card (they already know). What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word for word repeat of the VISA Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up. We filed a police report (as instructed by VISA), and they said they are taking several of these reports daily and to tell friends, relatives and coworkers. PASS IT ON! Version #4: Dear Valued Member, Due to the congestion in all Yahoo! users accounts, Yahoo! would be shutting down all unused accounts. In order to avoid the deactivation of your account, you will have to confirm your e-mail by filling out your Login Info below by clicking the reply button. The personal information requested are for the safety of your Yahoo! account. Please LEAVE all information requested. Username: ............................................ Password: ............................................. Date Of Birth: ........................................ Country Of Residence: ........................... After you must have followed the instructions in the sheet, your Yahoo! account will not be interrupted and will continue as normal. Thank you for your usual co-operation. We apologize for any inconvinience. Yahoo! Customer Care Case number: 8941624 Property: Account Security Contact date: 02-19-2010 Version #5: UNITED STATE OF AMERICA OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT RESOLUTION PANEL ON PAYMENT) WASHINGTON DC Attention: Beneficiary I wish to use this medium and my new office to inform you that your CONTRACT/INHERITANCE Payment of USD$10m (TEN Million Dollars) from CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA and there local banks has been RELEASED and APPROVED for onward transfer to you via an ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw all the USD$10m in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, but the maximum you can withdraw in a day is USD$10,000 Only The UNITED STATE OF AMERICA government has mandated CITI BANK OF NIGERIA, to send you the ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER with other relevant document from our government and British government and the united nation, You are therefore advice to contact director and the Head of ATM CARD Department of CITI BANK OF NIGERIA for further instructions and to release your approved ATM CARD to you. Contact Person: Mr. PHILIP EZE CITI BANK OF NIGERIA Phone number: +2348050777232 EMAIL: (mrphilipeze@mail.mn) Tell Mr. PHILIP EZE that you received a message from the OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE to send you the ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER AND ALL THE DOCUMENT which you will use to withdraw your USD$10 Million Dollars, also send him your direct phone number and contact address where you want him to send the ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER to you BUT YOU WILL PAY FOR THE LITTLE INSURANCE AND SHIPMENT FEES FOR DELIVERY. All the document regards to the release of the fund has been handed over to Mr. PHILIP EZE for delivery. I am very sorry for the delay you have gone through in the past years. Thanks for adhering to this instruction and once again accept my congratulations. Best Regards. MRS. HILLARY CLINTON Version #6: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Anti-Terrorist And Monitory Crime Division. Federal Bureau Of Investigation. J.Edgar.Hoover Building Washington Dc Customers Service Hours / Monday To Saturday Office Hours Monday To Saturday. Attn: Beneficiary, This is to Officially inform you that it has come to our notice and we have thoroughly Investigated with the help of our Intelligence Monitoring Network System that you are having an illegal Transaction with Impostors claiming to be Prof. Charles C. Soludo of the Central Bank Of Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Aziza, Mr Frank Nweke, Dr. Philip Mogan, none officials of Oceanic Bank, Zenith Banks, Barr. Derrick Smith, kelvin Young of HSBC, Ben of FedEx, Ibrahim Sule,Larry Christopher, Dr. Usman Shamsuddeen, Dr. Philip Mogan, Paul Adim, Puppy Scammers are impostors claiming to be the Federal Bureau Of Investigation. During our Investigation, we noticed that the reason why you have not received your payment is because you have not fulfilled your Financial Obligation given to you in respect of your Contract/Inheritance Payment. Therefore, we have contacted the Federal Ministry Of Finance on your behalf and they have brought a solution to your problem by coordinating your payment in total USD$8,200.000.00 in an ATM CARD which you can use to withdraw money from any ATM MACHINE CENTER anywhere in the world with a maximum of $4000 to $5000 United States Dollars daily. You now have the lawful right to claim your fund in an ATM CARD. Since the Federal Bureau of Investigation is involved in this transaction, you have to be rest assured for this is 100% risk free it is our duty to protect the American Citizens. All I want you to do is to contact the ATM CARD CENTER via email for their requirements to proceed and procure your Approval Slip on your behalf which will cost you $180.00 only and note that your Approval Slip which contains details of the agent who will process your transaction. CONTACT INFORMATION NAME: Mr. Kelvin Williams EMAIL: kelvinwilliamsizu@yahoo.cn Telephone: +234-80-3417 0810 Do contact Mr Kelvin of the ATM PAYMENT CENTER with your details: FULL NAME: HOME ADDRESS: TELL: CELL: CURRENT OCCUPATION: BANK NAME: AGE: So your files would be updated after which he will send the payment information's which you'll use in making payment of $180.00 via Western Union Money Transfer or Money Gram Transfer for the procurement of your Approval Slip after which the delivery of your ATM CARD will be effected to your designated home address without any further delay.We order you get back to this office after you have contacted the ATM SWIFT CARD CENTER and we do await your response so we can move on with our Investigation and make sure your ATM SWIFT CARD gets to you. Thanks and hope to read from you soon. ROBERT S. MUELLER, III DIRECTOR, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535 Note: Do disregard any email you get from any impostors or offices claiming to be in possession of your ATM CARD, you are hereby advice only to be in contact with Mr. Kelvin Williams of the ATM CARD CENTER who is the rightful person to deal with in regards to your ATM CARD PAYMENT and forward any emails you get from your email box. Version #7: Bill & Melinda Gates Charity Foundation United Kingdom Office 80-110 Victoria St., Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5BH CHARITY ELECTRONIC E-MAIL AWARD PROMOTION. The Bill & Melinda Gates Charity Foundation United Kingdom office wishes to inform you that the results of the Giving Pledge campaign on E-mail address ballot lottery international program held at Great Britain on the 28th of August 2011 is now out. Your e-mail account have been picked as a certified winner of a lump sum pay out of £2,550,952.00.(Two Million Five Hundred And Fifty Thousand Nine Hundred And Fifty Two Pounds Sterling) credited to CHARITY (LOTTERY) CHIP NO: 9465206), this random email accounts ballot Lottery was done because the foundation cannot reach every individuals entitled to be a beneficiary to this Giving Pledge campaign directly. This wining sum is been Generated from Bill Gates and Warren Buffett secured $125 billion from 40 families and individuals on the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans for the Giving Pledge campaign for charity world wide, your email address is among the international winners in this category "A" World wide Charity ballot lottery: Check this web page for more information: http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2010/0804/Billionaires-pledge-125-billion-to-Bill-Gates-charity-drive ,Please always remember that any beneficiary who cannot comply to the directive of this foundation, in the claiming requirements of his or her wining sum should not respond to this letter. Failure to contact this office within 7 working days of this notification will attract your winning prize revoked. Winners are advised to keep away their Lottery chip Number from the public to avoid fraudulent claim (VERY IMPORTANT) pending the transfer/claim by Winner. congratulations once again! THE BENEFICIARY/OWNER OF THE WINNING EMAIL SHOULD COMPLETE THE OUTLINE INFORMATION BELOW. 1. FULL NAMES OF BENEFICIARY: 2. RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: 3. DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: 4. PHONE/FAX NUMBERS: 5. NAME AND ADDRESS OF NEXT OF KIN: 6. CHARITY (LOTTERY) CHIP NUMBER: 7. OCCUPATION: 8. MARITAL STATUS: 9. SEX: 10.NATIONALITY: 11.AMOUNT WON: Yours Sincerely, Mrs Elizabeth Mark On-Line Coordinator, Bill & Melinda Gates Charity Foundation. United Kingdom.