Attorney General: Watch for over-the-phone credit card scam

Fri, January 30, 2009

Attorney General Chris Koster today warned residents of a telephone phishing scam recently making the rounds in Missouri.

The scam meant to nab victims credit card numbers is disguised as an offer for lower interest rates, Koster said in a news release.

Customers who have reported the scam to the Attorney Generals Office described it like this:

A caller, claiming to be from a company called Card Services, asks potential victims to enter their credit card number to see if they qualify for a better interest rate.

This is simply an attempt by thieves to steal credit card numbers, the release said. ... (In) phishing scams like this, with thieves fishing for personal information, the crooks can steal credit card numbers, use them in a matter of minutes through online purchases and run up big charges that appear later on the consumer's credit card statement.

The news release cautions consumers to never give out sensitive information, including Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, unless the consumer is the one to initiate contact. Any call from someone who asks for personal information should be assumed to be a scam.

Source: http://www.news-leader.com/