Latest Credit Card scam

The callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. You receive a call from VISA (or Mastercard) saying there has been unusual activity on your account.

The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (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 which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London?" 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 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) 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, "I need 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 to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "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 Card number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card.

An alternative to 'wireless'

If you use a wireless network, but don't actually need to move your PC around the home or home/office and are increasingly concerned about any potential health issues, there is an alternative avaliable which is very simple to use and set up.

There are a few different products available, one of which is the 'HomePlug'. Put simply, it uses spare capacity on the electrical circuit to transfer the signal from one pc to another. "Converts any power socket into a network point enabling broadband internet sharing to any existing Cable/DSL router, extension of the DSL/Cable modem installation, On-line gaming, VoIP Calls, Audio/Video transmission across the network as well as Network camera connectivity." You just plug it in any spare electrical socket, connect the ethernet cable from it to your pc and that's about it. Assuming you have the router at the other end plugged in to another adapter, you have access to the internet anywhere you have a wall socket.