Consumer Awareness
Merrick Bank would
like to warn consumers and our cardholders
of a new scam that is currently being
worked throughout the U.S. The point
of the scam is to get access to the
three-digit security code on the back
of credit cards.
The scam works like this:
A bogus call is received from a person disguised as a bank customer service
representative or VISA or MasterCard representative who may have already stolen
your card number from a receipt or statement. The person calling indicates that
they are calling on behalf of the bank or VISA or MasterCard. They may give you
a "badge number" in an effort to sound more official. They then will attempt to
engage you in a conversation. The sole purpose of which is to convince you to
provide them the 3-digit number on the back of your card (known as the CVV
number). For example, they may tell you they are concerned someone else is
using your card or that they are willing to lower the APR on your account, and
they need the CVV number in order to verify your identity and help you.
NEVER GIVE THESE NUMBERS TO ANYONE WHO CALLS YOU. Merrick Bank will not ask you
for this information. In addition, VISA states that they will never ask
consumers for this information. When someone gets this number together with
your account number, they can use your card to make purchases.
If you receive a call like this, you are advised to just hang up. If you'd like
to get more information, Merrick Bank has provided some links below that you
may follow. Please note that these links are not part of the Merrick Bank web
site.
http://www.nbc4.com/money/2768657/detail.html
http://www.thelocalbbb.org/alerts/alerts.html?newsid=302&newstype=1
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/call7forhelp/2748435/detail.html
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