By Dale Gribow
The season is here and so are the “professional” scam callers who believe CV residents are easy targets. On Saturday I received an email from a well-known friend in La Quinta who received a call from 757 263 4907. He shared that this is a scam number that is threatening our neighbors, no doubt older neighbors. The caller threatens criminal prosecution by the Treasury Department or the IRS.
Over the weekend the Desert Sun also wrote about scam callers who claimed to be with law enforcement and your caller ID may support that claim registering Riverside Sheriffs. They may notify you, as they did me, that you did not show for jury duty and they need you to send a money order to clear it up.
The VISA Scam involves a caller claiming to be someone they are not. In the past I warned my readers that When the IRS Calls to Hang UP. This is because the IRS, like Visa, does not call… they write.
A new caller Scam provides YOU with all your credit card information, except the one piece they want…your PIN. You will not be asked for your VISA card number because they already have it. The caller says – ‘This is Mr. Jones 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?’
The IMPORTANT part of the scam is when the caller says, ‘I need to verify you are in possession of your card’. He’ll ask you to ‘turn your card over and give him your PIN number to prove you have the card in your possession.
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?’ IF so call the number on the back of your card and provide the reference number I just provided.
Once you give the PIN number thousands of dollars of internet charges will have taken place. You will soon realize you too were a SCAM victim.
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT, CALL A TAXI OR UBER.…IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME
If you have any questions regarding this article or have ideas for future legal articles please contact Dale Gribow Attorney at Law
(760) 837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com
DALE GRIBOW
“TOP LAWYER” – Palm Springs Life 2011-2016 (DUI and PI)
10.0 AVVO Perfect Peer Rating
“Preeminent” – Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory
“Best Attorneys of America” Selected by “Rue” (Limited to Top 100/State)
2015 Client Appreciation Award & Martindale Hubbell Client Distinction Award
Weekly Talk Show Host and a Legal Columnist for both LA and Palm Springs papers
