March 2, 2009
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News: Activation Scam Hits Louisiana.
The latest credit card fraud scam technique may be just budding but, certainly, is not limited to just Louisiana. If you have a telephone, it could be you. If there's one consensus among credit card security experts today it's that, as security techniques get better, the ‘rats' diligently seek more innovative ways around the traps. This seems to be what's happening in this situation. If you're reading this article now, chances are, you're not as likely to fall prey to these schemes. But, the realty is that most credit card holders spend very little time on learning what to watch out for.
Unless they hear it on television, most don't seem to know how critical it is today to not give vital credit card information over the phone unless you have initiated the call. So it is with the many who will fall prey when ‘their bank' calls them and explains they must ‘re-activate' their credit cards right then, using their phone's touchpad or their accounts may closed. The caller, obvious to you and I, is not a bank but a ‘fraudster'. The respondent is then instructed to enter their '16-digit account number' using the telephone keypad and then the ‘Expiration Date'. Unfortunately, many will fall prey to these scummer scammers.
Of course, the caller will sound very legitimate (many are even automated). These thieves have done their homework by mimicking area credit card issuing banks of a selected target region, such as this case in Northeast Louisiana. So far, they have targeted four lending institutions in that area: Ouachita Independent Bank; Progressive Bank; Cross Keys Bank and Centric Federal Credit Union.
No matter where you live or who your credit card issuer is, it is essential to not give out your sensitive card data to a stranger. Some restaurants are now insisting that patrons swipe their own cards at the counter. If someone calls you, don't offer sensitive information on the call. Offer to call them right back via the main business line switchboard. Only then, can you be sure they are who they say they are (unless you already know them by voice, of course).