[NEohioPAL]Fwd: FW: Identity Theft

Fri Apr 22 15:10:20 PDT 2005

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Subject: Identity Theft

Citibank has notified the Commerce Bankcard Center (CBC) today that they have been made aware of a new telemarketing fraud scenario relating to Identity Theft.

The person calling says, "This is (name) and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA/MasterCard or any credit card issuer. 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 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 1-800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-xxx-xxxx) 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 he needs 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. After you give the caller the 3 numbers, the response will be "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 full Card number. 

The cardholder's identity may have already been compromised or at least the fraudster has one of their card numbers, address and phone number.  The goal of the telemarketer is to obtain the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Do not give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call the credit card issuer directly for verification of the conversation. 

The card issuer will NEVER initiate a call to a cardholder and ask for information printed on the card. If this scenario presents itself to any of your cardholders, please instruct them to call their issuer's fraud unit immediately. 

Safeguard your private information

You can take responsibility yourself for protecting your personal information online. Here are some simple steps you can take: 

   Get a personal firewall and anti-virus protection for your home computer. 

   Guard your Social Security Number. If at all possible, do not transmit your social security number online. 

   Review the online security practices of companies you do business with, and make sure they have policies in place to protect your private information. 

   Once a year, check all three of your credit reports. This is one of the best ways to find out if someone is using your information without your knowledge. In most cases it will cost about $8 for each report unless you are a victim of financial crime or turned down for a job or credit because of information contained in your credit report. 

·         TransUnion: 800-888-4213 (fraud div.- 800-680-7289)

·         Experian: 888-EXPERIAN (fraud div.- 888-397-3742)

·         Equifax: 800- 685-1111 (fraud div.- 800-525-6285)

   Check the FTC identity theft web site (www.consumer.gov/idtheft). The FTC updates its information frequently, and issues consumer alerts on scams you should watch out for. 

---------------------------------

This message scanned for viruses by CoreComm 

Evie
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<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Identity Theft</DIV></DIV>
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<P><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Citibank has notified the Commerce Bankcard Center (CBC) today that they have been made aware of a new telemarketing fraud scenario relating to Identity Theft.</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The person calling says, "This is (name) and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA/MasterCard or any credit card issuer. 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 </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Arizona</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">?" </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">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 1-800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-xxx-xxxx) 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?" </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says he needs 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." </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers. After you give the caller the 3 numbers, the response will be "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 full Card number. </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The cardholder's identity may have already been compromised or at least the fraudster has one of their card numbers, address and phone number. </SPAN></FONT><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The goal of the telemarketer is to obtain the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Do not give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call the credit card issuer directly for verification of the conversation. </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The card issuer will NEVER initiate a call to a cardholder and ask for information printed on the card. If this scenario presents itself to any of your cardholders, please instruct them to call their issuer's fraud unit immediately. </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><B><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Safeguard your private information</SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">You can take responsibility yourself for protecting your personal information online. Here are some simple steps you can take: </SPAN></FONT></P>
<UL type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Get a personal firewall and anti-virus protection for your home computer. </SPAN></FONT></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<UL type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Guard your Social Security Number. If at all possible, do not transmit your social security number online. </SPAN></FONT></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<UL type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Review the online security practices of companies you do business with, and make sure they have policies in place to protect your private information. </SPAN></FONT></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<UL type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Once a year, check all three of your credit reports. This is one of the best ways to find out if someone is using your information without your knowledge. In most cases it will cost about $8 for each report unless you are a victim of financial crime or turned down for a job or credit because of information contained in your credit report. </SPAN></FONT></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><FONT face=Symbol size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">·<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">         </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">TransUnion: 800-888-4213 (fraud div.- 800-680-7289)</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><FONT face=Symbol size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">·<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">         </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Experian: 888-EXPERIAN (fraud div.- 888-397-3742)</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><FONT face=Symbol size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">·<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">         </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Equifax: 800- 685-1111 (fraud div.- 800-525-6285)</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
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<LI class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Check the FTC identity theft web site (<A href="http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft">www.consumer.gov/idtheft</A>). The FTC updates its information frequently, and issues consumer alerts on scams you should watch out for. </SPAN></FONT></LI></UL>
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<DIV align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=1>This message scanned for viruses by <A href="http://www.core.com/">CoreComm</A> </FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR><BR>Evie
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