As a public service, this information and warning are being posted by Heritage Web Solutions.  The insidious nature of this operation is so cleverly disguised that even the most cautious may be victimized by this scam.  Anyone owning a credit card is a potential victim.

Identity theft is an increasingly relevant part of our lives.  Just two months ago Countrywide Home Loans had a major security breach in which up to two million home owners had their personal information compromised.  Identify theft knows no boundaries.  No one is immune from this scourge.

The perpetrators of this particular credit card scam already have much of the personal information of the potential victims, including such things as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, place of residence, phone numbers, etc.  There is one tiny, but critical bit of information they don't have.   Their approach is so cleverly disguised that an unsuspecting victim gives it to them.

Here is how the scam unfolds.  The scammer calls the victim and identifies himself as calling from the Fraud Department at VISA (or Mastercard, etc.), gives the victim the CC card number, and states that the victim's card has been flagged for an unusual purchase.  The scammer then asks the victim if he made a purchase at XYZ company in Arizona in the amount of xxx dollars.  The victim will say "no", whereupon the scammer  says:  "This amount has been billed to your card.  However, before your next statement, your card will be credited.  The statement will be sent to (repeats the victim's address).  Is that correct?"! ; The victim says "yes."

Now the scam:  (remember, the scammer has given the victim enough personal information to allay any concerns that the caller is not who he claims to be, i.e. associated with the Fraud Department).  The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card".  The scammer instructs the victim 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.  Please read those numbers to me".  If the card holder gives those 3 numbers, the scammer now has the information needed to complete the scam.  The scammer now has full control of the credit card.

Be cautious.  If you have any questions or suspicions, call the toll free number on the back of your credit card immediately.