Spending Habits Phone Scam

The Scam
You may receive a phone call you think is from your credit card company stating that they would like to verify unusual spending habits. These practiced identity thieves will sound very professional and will try to extract information from you. They might even warn you about identity theft as they try every tactic to get you to believe they are real employees from your credit card company.

They will usually initiate the conversation by telling you that they wish to verify some unusual spending habits on your credit card. They will make it seem that they are trying to do you a favor and are trying to protect you from fraudulent charges on your credit card. In their effort to try and steal your identity, they will at some point ask for the security code at the back of your credit card. Don't become an identity theft statistic! Do not give them the security number or any other information.

The Solution
Prevention is the key to this scam. Never give any information to anyone who calls you and claims that they are a representative of a company you deal with. Rather, let them know that you will not give out any such information on the phone when you cannot validate their identity. The proper course of action is to hang up and call the credit card company using the telephone number on the back of your credit card or on your bills. Let them know that someone has contacted you requesting private information and the details of the conversation. If it was a legitimate claim, they will be able to transfer you to the appropriate department.

In this type of identity theft scam, they cannot get the information unless you give it to them.

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