SCAM - October 17, 2008
October 17, 2008
The Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia is receiving a high level of inquiries regarding consumers receiving telephone calls with a message that their credit card is being cancelled.
The caller, who identifies themselves as “Account Services” indicates that the consumers credit card is about to be cancelled. To reinstate, the consumer must provide the 16 digit account number, expiration date, full name of the card holder, and the security digits on back of the credit card.
These calls are being received at all hours of the day and night.
Consumers are advised:
- 1) Financial institutions will not communicate any credit card related issue via telephone.
- 2) Never provide credit card or personal related data on an unsolicited telephone call.
- 3) Hang up the telephone on this type call and telephone your financial institution, using the number on back of the credit card, and report the matter.
- 4) Never trust a telephone number based on its area code. Con artists can hack into Caller ID Systems and VoIP users can assign any area code to a phone number.
- 5) If a consumer has provided credit card or personal information they are advised to immediately contact the credit card company and cancel the card.
- 6) Report this information to the local police services and the Better Business Bureau.