funnysnow

1) Missed call Scam

There were a form of scam currently going on called the "Missed call" scam. This is not new, but was quite active recently. A number of my friends had got calls from +861xxxxxxxxxx, which is allegedly from China. Below is an article extracted from http://www.articlealley.com/article_14045_45.html

Millions of mobile phone users are being subjected to a new wave of money making scams currently being carried out by a number of rouge agents set on taking advantage on the curiosity of the individuals they target. The Missed Call scam is very basic and extremely effective, dependant on no more than a return call from those mobile phone users trusting enough to believe that someone is trying to contact them for genuine reasons.

So how does it work? A computer is set up to pick numbers from a list and calls them automatically. After one ring the computer hangs up and the targeted handset indicates that a call has been missed. At this point completion of the scam relies on the owner of the mobile phone returning the call shown as missed on his/her handset.

Curiosity is the key factor on which the success of this scam has been based, and the scammers know that a large percentage of phone users will almost always return a missed call simply to find out the origin and purpose of it.

On returning the call, the owner of the targeted mobile phone is redirected to a premium rate telephone service and increasingly without his/her knowledge. The scammers then take this opportunity and ensure that the maximum amount of money is made from the call by entering into a lengthy conversation, generally relating to some bogus prize or competition.

Often, it is not until the monthly statement arrives that the targeted individual realises that his/her phone has been subjected to a Missed Call scam and charged excessive rates for the privilege.

At present there appears to be no immediate action which those exposed to this scam can take to ensure that others do not suffer the same fate.

The best way to prevent this scam is to apply caution, and only return missed calls to those numbers you recognise. And remember, if someone is genuinely trying to get hold of you, they'll call again.

More details on the numbers you need to watch out for and where you might get help if this scam happens to you are available on:
http://www.digital-phone.co.uk/mobil...ssed-calls.asp



2) Credit Card Scam

If you have a Visa or Mastercard you might want to read the following. This is a genuine scam operating in Australia and is likely to come here.

WARNING...New Credit Card Scam.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; THEY already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself. 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.

My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard". 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 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-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. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. We're glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 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 Number, 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.

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shin-kyo

yeah! lately i got quite a few miss call from +8 numbers... luckily i nv call back...

funnysnow

Be careful. Yesterday I recieved an sms from +86, saying I won 60k. LOL!

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shin-kyo

wah 60k? rupiah? lol!!

funnysnow

dunno leh.. see liao deleted already. sure fake.

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Wenzi

sniff sniff.. i call back but i hung up immediately after i heard tt it's from china n wat so ever...

it's me.. wenzi!!!!
愛一個人不一定要擁有﹐但擁有一個人就一定要好好去愛他!
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solidsin

woah . thanks for that info . i was called by those +8 sth number many times already . hmm, guess i should send a mass email to all my contacts asking them to take note of such scams .

Wenzi

-_-'' ke lian de wo.. hope it wont cost a bomb!

it's me.. wenzi!!!!
愛一個人不一定要擁有﹐但擁有一個人就一定要好好去愛他!
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funnysnow

You see ah.. there is oversea charges plus those hotline charge.. You put down the phone, I think is alright. Must spread around.

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solidsin

i think shouldnt cost u anything if u recieve the call . unless u called back .

Wenzi

SINFFF SINFFF *cries louder* the problem is i CALL BACK!!!!!

it's me.. wenzi!!!!
愛一個人不一定要擁有﹐但擁有一個人就一定要好好去愛他!
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funnysnow