The local police warn us of the latest scam

This is a new version of credit card fraud which is very clever because the perpetrator has all the correct information about your card with the exception of the three digit security number on the back.

The scam works like this: You receive a phone call where the caller says:-

" Good morning my name is xxxxx and I am calling from the Visa Security department. My identification number is the 12460. Your card shows an infrequent purchase which I am calling to verify. They will then tell you that your visa card is from (name of the bank) and will ask, "did you purchase a yyyyy for the amount of 497.99€ from a company in zzzzz ?"

When your you respond no, they continue by saying they are going to verify your account. They explain that they have been watching the company for some time since purchases from them vary between 297€ and 497€, exactly below the limit of 500€ imposed by most of the credit cards. They then ask if the address they have is correct.

You confirm that it is.

The scammer then continues by saying that they are going to compile a report of fraud in your file and that if you have any other questions that you wish to ask then you must call the number 902-xxx written to the back of your card .

He or she then asks you to confirm that the number of your card is the correct one. You are given the 6 figure number of your card which you are asked to repeat.

Now the MOST IMPORTANT part of the scam.

The scammer says:
"I must verify that you are really in possession of your card."
He or she explains that there are 7 numbers: the 4 first comprise of their number of card, the 3 following ones are the security numbers to verify that you are in possession of the card.

This three figure number is the one one the back of the card that you use when making a purchase, for example over the Internet, to prove that you actually have the card.

The scammer will then ask you that you read the 3 numbers to him/her and will say, "that is correct".

Following that you will find a purchase has been made from your card for 497.99€ within minutes of your call. Since the scammer used your security number and therefore was ostensibly the owner of the card, that transaction cannot be reversed. If this is the case, you need to phone the credit card company immediately to stop any further use of your card.

The advice is NEVER give that 3 figure number over the telephone or in a fax or by email and only provide it on an Internet site that is secure.

Many thanks to the local police for that information.

PS Of course we have an advantage here over our Spanish neighbours. If anyone phones us, it is unlikely that we'll understand what they are saying.