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Most
health care providers are honest and are providing the best care
they can, but the small number who aren't find ways to steal billions
of dollars from the health care system each year. Even more is lost
to errors in billing that are never found. Below you will find current
scams that are happening right here in Iowa.
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 Sneaky Credit Card Scam:
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want. 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.
One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "Master Card". 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 dig it 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 $497.99 was charged to our card.
Long story - 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 too 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 Master Card" 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.
Posted: 12/12/2006
Drug Card Scam - Another Twist - Dubuque, Iowa
Person with heavy accent (perhaps Asian or Indian) called beneficaiary Tuesday of last week . He stated that Medicare was raising their premiums and offering fewer benefits. He stated they were offering a National Health Card for a one-time fee of $89 that would be good for a lifetime. It would pay up to 80% of all medical expenses including prescriptions, glasses and dental. He asked for her bank account number and she gave it to him. Her bank is in Dubuque, Iowa which is where she lives. The 800 help line volunteer advised her to call the bank and tell them to close the account. She stated that she has two accounts with the bank, a checking account and a money market account. She doesn't remember if she gave him both numbers or not. She stated she was going there today and would speak with them about this. I (the 800 help line volunteer) also asked her to let her know how the trip to the bank came out. Caller said he is from Pharmabay.”
Posted: 12/01/2006
KWWL Consumer Alert: Gift Card Scam
A KWWL Consumer Alert now on a gift card scam that's sweeping the country. According the Better Business Bureau, thieves are looking at gift cards hanging on a rack.
They copy the phone numbers and merchant names, wait some time, and call the numbers on them. If the card is activated, they use the numbers and shop on the store's website.
The Better Business Bureau suggests buying gift cards that haven't been on display to the public.
Posted: 12/01/2006
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