[Fraud Series: Topic 3] Credit Card Phone Scam

This isn’t an online fraud, per se, but since both ANI/MIN/CLID spoofing and credit card frauds are current topics of discussion, I thought you’d find this interesting (if only for your own personal protection). The following is an example of both a credit card scams to collect from me all of my key credit card information so the criminal could use my card to purchase stuff online, via ANI/MIN/CLID spoofing (making the caller-ID be some other number) .

I just received a phone call on my cell phone (from a Voice Response Unit-VRU) with a caller-ID number of 321-504-7429. The recorded message said…

“This is your final notice to lower the interest rates on your credit card…blah blah blah…please select 1 to lower your rates now…blah blah blah”. I hung up, as should you!

Notes/Warning Signs:

1. There was no indication for which bank it was calling me (I actually have 3 credit cards from 3 different banks).
2. There was no authentication for who the credit card actually belongs to e.g. they might have said my name so I know it’s me their looking for.
3. They called my work cell phone, which was likely taken off my business card picked up from one of our show booth tables. I NEVER use my business cell phone for credit card accounts.
4. After I hung up I dialed the number back, and as expected it said, “The number you are trying to reach has been disconnected and is no longer in service.”