Scam alert

[JAFARR]

There is a new ID theft scam being worked. A co-worker received a phone call around 10:30 PM. Someone told her that someone was trying to cash a check drawn on her account somewhere on the west coast (she is in Tennessee). They proceeded to give her the account number and ask if that was her account and if she wanted to stop the payment. She knew that no-one in that area should have a check from her so she said yes. When she checked with her bank the next day, 2 checks had already cleared for over $500.

Do not confirm if an account number is yours or if it is correct! The scammers had her information before they called her. The call was just verify that they had correct information. I am not sure if they were using a check card number or it was an actual check. Either way the call was designed to fool her into thinking someone was protecting her interests long enough to use the information.

No bank or credit card assurer will ever call you to verify your account data. They will call and ask you to contact your local branch office. Tell them you will contact your bank or just hang up.

 

[ravells]

Reminds me of a scam I saw on 'The Big Hustle' which is a TV series in which they show you all sorts of different scams. Not sure if this is a good idea since as well arming people to spot them, it also teaches them how to do it.

As I know that anyone who plays traveller is thouroughly honest and would never try to smuggle anything past Imperial customs officers, I tell you about this one.

It's a two man job. They dress in suits and carry briefcases and go to a mall where they find their mark; a woman on her own in a coffee bar or restaurant. One man sits near the woman, but makes no contact, the other steals her handbag and leaves.

When the woman finds her handbag is stolen and is suitably flustered, the man sitting near her sympathises with her and advises her to cancel her bank cards as soon as possible. He asks her which bank she banks with and pretends to get the number for that bank on his mobile phone (hers having been stolen with the handbag). He then calls a number and hands the phone to the mark.

The number he actually dialls is the mobile of his accomplice who stole the handbag and is now sitting in the car with 'call centre' background noises playing on the stereo. He poses as a bank clark and tells the mark that for security reasons she should not tell him her PIN number but type it into her phone and the software will then cancel the cards. The mark is flustered and upset and does as she's told without thinking it through.

The mark is relieved that she has cancelled her cards and does nothing more, meanwhile the scammers are clearing out her bank account.

 

[AlHazred]

I received a call from Western Union once, as someone was trying to use my account to send themselves a bunch of money. They mentioned no account numbers, and asked me for no information -- it was entirely an informational call, as they wanted me to know my information was not secure and I needed to change it. That's how those calls go when they're official.

 

[su_liam]

I get at least three phishing messages on my email a week. I report every one of them. It gives me a warm feeling to hope that I'm helping these people to Federal bang-you-in-the-ass prison. Hopefully a few of them get shanked.

 

[flykiller]

had surgery from a major hospital. last week got a call from a "collection agency". the guy said,

"My name José, your account overdue, you must give credit card number and mother's maiden name right now or we report you to Credit Bureau tomorrow."

probably a janitor at the hospital who lifted my records.

 

[JAFARR]

Update

This family is now getting large ckecks delivered to their address but made out to the name they were given in the phone call. The bank believes this is some form of the Nigerian scam.

 

[JAFARR]

Total for the checks that they have accepted so far is well over $1 million.
It turns out that the actual charges to the account were legit due to a change in the husband's insurance and just happened at the same time this other junk started. The postal inspectors' office has the material that was sent via the US mail, but UPS keeps bringing more that were shipped via their services.

So far the police have not been able to determine how the scammer(s) are getting their money. All the items are being sent to the family's address with someone else's name, but there have been no attempts to collect them from the family.

I only posted this as a warning. If they ever figure out what is going on I'll pass on anything that may be helpful in preventing anyone from getting scammed.