The Charles County Sheriff's Office is warning the public of a new credit card scheme in which callers pose as your credit card company and try to find out secure information.
The scammers have obtained the names, address, telephone numbers and bank information of some credit card holders from an unknown source and have called potential victims to inform them their credit card has been flagged for an unusual purchase for an anti-telemarketing device from a marketing company in Arizona.
The scammers will identify themselves as a person calling from the Security and Fraud Department at a credit card company and will give a badge number to the victim. The scammers go on to say that the victim's card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern and they are calling to verify the purchase. The scammers give the credit card company and what bank the card is issued by. The scammers then ask if the victim purchased an Anti-Telemarketing Device from a marketing company based in Arizona. When the victim replies they have not made the purchase the scammers tell the victim they will issue the victim a credit in the amount they have been charged. The scammers verify the victim's address and tell the victim they will begin a fraud investigation. The scammers then tell the victim that if they have any questions to call the 1-800 number on the back of their cards. The scammers then give the victim the control number and tell the victim that they need to verify the victim is in possession of their card by reading the security numbers from the card to the scammers. The scammers then ask the victim if they have any questions and hang up.
The Sheriff's Office is reminding citizens never to give out their personal information unless they have initiated the call. The credit card companies will have all the information that is asked for, including the three digit security code. If you believe you may be the victim of the scheme, be sure to notify your credit card company immediately.