Reports of frauds, deceptions and scams keep appearing, weekly even daily, on
major news channels and newspapers. Some of these frauds seem just too big and remote to be of immediate, direct relevance to our daily lives. But, we will eventually pay for the consequences and damages, in taxes, costs of goods and services, regulations, copy-cats etc.

I hope we can collect, in one thread, frauds and scams, reported or heard. We must become more aware and more educated to guard against frauds and scams
which impact upon the health, well being, and wealth of ourselves and our families.

A chump in my company has put her signature to one of those forms offering an entry in the EU Business Directory without looking at the small print that explains the entry is to be paid for.

Already we are receiving reminder invoices with a staggering incremental charge for late payment.

Has anyone been dragged into a similar situation around here? And better still does anyone have some suggestions as to our best course of action.

TP

Recieved from friend



This is a fraud that is currently doing the rounds in the UK that I heard
about today through my work. A lot of incidences reported.






'The following was given to me by a colleague at work, whose husband works
for Barclays and has dealings with Barclaycard.



Quote: This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &
MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to
protect yourself.



One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called
on Thursday from "MasterCard". Note, the callers do not ask for your card
number; they already have it.



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 that was issued by (name
of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for 249.99 from a
Marketing company based in (name of any town or city)?"



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 150 to 249, just under the 250 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 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. 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 Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new
purchase of 249.99 was charged to our card.



Long story made short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA
account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the
3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them.



Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification
of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for
anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued
the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN you think you're
receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see
charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost to late
and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.



What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a
"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. The police said they are taking several of
these reports daily!



They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening.
Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each other,
we protect each other.'

More second-level scamming. This really is an interesting development. Obviously so many people are now aware of the scam that they are having to try to scam those who have already been scammed.

1 Ibrahim Taiwo road
Aso Rock Villa PMB 166
FCT Abuja,
Nigeria.

ATTENTION:

Take notice that based on the federal government inauguration of this
committee which extended to all Africa countries and Europe, the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission - (EFCC) have combined with the
United Nation Anti-crime commission to alleviate and redeem the image and
past wounds of our dear citizens and foreign firms who were duped ,
defrauded, scanned and abandoned by some impostors who indiscriminately use
the name of God, Office of governors, Presidency, Banks etc to slight
down our digities to international communities.

Many banks have been in ruptcy today, Universal firms, Companies due to
the activity of these hoodlums. However, investigation have shown that
these people have dropped over 500,000, clients after collecting their
money, many committed suicide and others living in the grace of God. We
see this country as a treasonable felony and have over 500 convicts at
hand, 300 in krikri prisons while many are still on trail. We still
fetch for others who feel they are wise and hope that you will be our
friend by giving us more information.

Meanwhile, we have a committee whose duties are to re-commend genuine
contractors, loan bidders, next of kin (inheritance payment) NNPC award,
foreign firms who have completed all the federal government normal
payment requirements but abandoned due to take over some sacked officials
who take Government papers to collect money and leave the beneficiary
half way.
In our inauguration, the government advised us that we must scrutinize
all companies, banks and Security Company for payment. We have found
your full entitlement valid among other approvals. We also have endorsed
your payment to CENTRAL BANK NIGERIA PAID YOU CASH THROUGH A DIPLOMATIC
COURIER SERVICE without prejudice and will need a confirmation of all
your communication with them until you finally receive your money

The federal government is using this opportunity to compensate the
entire victim who some Nigeria’s has duped So you are advice to contact
the Mr. Ibada Anayo Titus to mail to you a certified check which can be
withdraw any were in the world and the amount is USD 650,000.00, so you
are expected to give him the following for proper mailing of your check
to your destination

CONTACT: IBADA ANAYO TITUS
ADDRESS: PLOT 144 ADEKULE AVN ISOLO LAGOS NIGERIA
EMAIL: brathwaitjones05@yahoo.co.uk
His cell phone +234-8032119346

NAME:
YOUR HOME ADDRESS:
AGE:
OCCUPATION:
COUNTRY:
STATE:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
SEX:

As soon as you give him the following he will mail your compensation
cheque to you.

THIS IS PRODULY SPONSORED BY THE EUROPE /AFRICA GOVERNMENT.

Thanks for your co-operations
Yours faithfully,
Brathwait Jones,
Executive Chairman,
Economic & Financial Crime Commission

RogerD, perhaps insiders sold details of customer names, address and card numbers.
Brings to mind the case in June 2005 ...

""Call center staff 'sold ID data'

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- London police were investigating a newspaper claim on Thursday that confidential details of British bank accounts are being sold by criminals from Indian call centers.

The Sun said it had bought bank details of 1,000 Britons for just 3 ($5.50) each from a computer expert in Delhi who said he had obtained the information from contacts working in call centers.

...

The paper said its reporter had obtained addresses, passwords, phone numbers and details of credit cards, passports and driving licenses which could be used to raid unsuspecting victim's accounts.

...

The Sun said the institutions targeted included many of Britain's top banks such as HSBC, Barclays, and Lloyds TSB. It added the call center worker claimed he could provide 200,000 account details a month -- including those of U.S. citizens.

..."

:-(((

Was also report by Reuters and CNN at the time ...

IMO, UK call centers may or may not be more secure but at least UK laws can be applied ...

axdpc- one of the reasons that I have reduced my card limit and mainly deal in cash now. Need a bigger mattress :))

BBC's Watchdog programs are worth watching ...

BBC Watchdog

More BCA complaints and advice

COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BCA BOOK CLUB

Thirteen held in bank fraud probe

"Thirteen people have been arrested in raids by police investigating a multi-million pound bank fraud.

The inquiry concerns a gang suspected of opening accounts in false names using counterfeit documents.

A bank employee is among the people being held after officers executed search warrants at addresses in west London, Bradford and Slough.

The City of London Police's Economic Crime Department said it is believed in the region of 3m was stolen.
..."

The secret agent

Whistleblower is broadcast on BBC One, Tuesday 21 March, 2100 GMT.

"Lying to customers, faked signatures, false passports and dodgy deals with developers. An undercover investigation reveals the secret world of estate agents' dirty tricks.
...
During the investigation I saw the depths to which some agents will sink to get a deal - not only offering a house and a mortgage, but also a fake British passport.
...
They openly discuss potential buyers' budgets so they can squeeze as much money out of them as possible. Some buyers have no idea that the Foxtons agents showing them around properties already know exactly what they can afford.
...
In another Foxtons office, lettings staff jump up and down in delight after they successfully fake a signature on an absent landlord's paperwork.
...
..."

Bullie never did any of that :-)

:-)

Wonder how widespread are those practices. These are just more real life examples that one should not judge others by their wealth, money, looks, smooth talks or smart looking dresses/suits!

Subject: E-alert from DERBYSHIRE BUSINESS AGAINST CRIME - Parcel Delivery
Scam - Message No. 97

Derbyshire Police would like to circulate the following warning, received
through a number of reliable sources. Please feel free to circulate this
information to any contacts, business or private.


ICSTIS (premium rate services regulator) have receive a number of reports
from indivudals regarding PDS missed deliveries, and you are offered the
following advice.

If you receive a card through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel
Delivery Service) saying that they have a parcel awaiting delivery
instructions and can you contact them on 0906 6611911

DO NOT call the number as this is a mail scam originating from Belize

If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will
already have been billed =A315 for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact
Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655
or ICTIS at http://www.icstis.org.uk or your
local trading standards office.

Further information available at
http://www.icstis.org.uk/pdfs_news/warningnotice.pdf

This is a genuine scam and this is currently under investigation by ICSTIS.

ICTIS have the following information about this number.

This is a card posted through your letter box from PDS Parcel Delivery
suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and to call the premium
rate number in question. This service costs =A31.50 per minute.

Got a call yesterday from my Bank ref some unusual purchases
in Norway. I've never been to Norway.
Mindfull of the post by 'RogerD' further up this thread,
I made sure I didn't give them any information on my card in case
I was being scammed, and checked with my Bank.

Turns out it was genuine, and someone had cloned my card. I don't
use ATM's and so it looks like it may be a garage. Talked to the lovely
lady behind the counter at the bank, and it turns out that they've
had another 5 instances this week already. What we all seem
to have in common is that we all use our local Shell garage.

What some are doing, apparently, is using the cards in the UK to make
small purchases at places such as M&S and taking out 50 cashback
each time. This is siphoning hundreds of 's a day out of customers'
accounts before they get to see a statement and question it.

So if any of you have online accounts or access to an ATM for frequent
statement checking, I would suggest that you check regularly rather than
wait for your monthly statement.

Because they used mine in Norway, the Bank picked it up immediately and
stopped the card after 2 transactions, so I was lucky.
Will get all the money back within 2 weeks, but am now without a card
for a few days.
So check your accounts regularly and don't get caught out. It will take several
weeks to get your money back and this may be a problem to you if they
clean out your account before you wise up.

Melnibone, Have you seen this news item regarding Shell stations.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4980190.stm

Thanks, cronky.

If they shut down chip and pin at the weekend, and my cloned card
was used for the first time yesterday, then it looks like these guys
have amassed a stash of cloned cards that can be used at any
time in the future.

Looks like a lot more folk are going to get a nasty surprise over the
weeks ahead.

Yet another Spane-based company urgently needing my bank details to give me a big prize which I didn't even know I entered ... These companies are giving the Spanish people a bad name they do not deserve :-( The people involved are probably not Spanish.

UK bank details sold in Nigeria

"Bank account details belonging to thousands of Britons are being sold in West Africa for less than 20 each, the BBC's Real Story programme has found.

It discovered that fraudsters in Nigeria were able to find internet banking data stored on recycled PCs sent from the UK to Africa.

The information can be found on a PC's hard disk, which is easy to access if the drive is not wiped before sending.

...


"It is essential that companies have appropriate procedures in place to ensure that personal records on computer hard drives are rendered unrecoverable when they dispose of computer equipment," said Assistant Commissioner Phil Jones.

"Under the Data Protection Act companies have a duty to store personal information securely and delete it when it is no longer required."

Real Story's investigation into the risk of identity theft from old PCs will be broadcast on BBC 1 at 19:30 on Monday, 14 August.

axdpc - do you live in spain?

goforit, nope. Not yet. Why?

Welcome to the thread :-)

"The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous." - Niccolo Machiavelli

We should be less trusting and less willing to give unconditional charities to everyone.