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cewilson
2nd September 2008, 05:17 PM
A quick warning for everyone. My wife had a phone call today from some people 'representing' the Commonwealth Bank. They told her that she had won a holiday from a draw that was because of having a credit card with the bank.

This so called company had our address, our phone numbers, new the sex and ages of the kids, knew she was married, had her credit card details already including the verification number.

Thankfully my wife was alert enough to verify their information on the internet as they were talking. She phoned the bank and the bank said that sometimes their system is hacked and this is the result when they get the details.

The people on the phone very very forceful, but as anyone that knows my wife is aware - that really doesn't work with her. (trust me I know) :oops:

Anyway, after doing a Google search we came up with this:


A great deal to be suspicious about
29/08/2008 9:59:00 AM
A Wagga woman is urging people to think twice about phone offers after getting caught up in a holiday scam.

Judy Yates mistakenly gave out her credit card information over the phone when told she had received an American holiday package.

“They were offering me 14 days and 13 nights in Cancun, Orlando and Daytona Beach for just $599,” Mrs Yates said.

“The callers had an Indian accent and called themselves MCS Holidays.

“It was very professional with so-called supervisors, confirmation numbers and a 1800 number that had one too many digits.”

Mrs Yates dodged the financial bullet by cancelling her card, but is warning other Wagga residents not to be bullied into giving away their important details to strangers.

“I was stupid enough to give them my credit card number but then I rang my bank manager and he cancelled the card before they could take my money,” Mrs Yates said.

“They knew my address and phone number without me telling them and were quite forceful, so I think it’s important people know this is going on.”

According to Mrs Yates the holiday scam isn’t the only trick going around, with her sister also having a near miss over a phone scam.

Mrs Yates had advice for anybody receiving phone calls from dodgy companies.

“Don’t listen to them, just hang up,” she said

So end result, we cancelled the credit card and we're getting another one sent out.

Cheers
Chris

BMKal
2nd September 2008, 05:27 PM
Thanks Chris.

That's good information to know. We often hear of these scams in the media etc but this is the first time I have ever come across a "first hand" report of one.

Great to hear that your wife was awake to their tricks and it hasn't cost you anything - dunno if I'd be so lucky.

Ben
2nd September 2008, 05:40 PM
You said they already had your credit card details including the CVV. What were they after?


This so called company had our address, our phone numbers, new the sex and ages of the kids, knew she was married, had her credit card details already including the verification number.


“I was stupid enough to give them my credit card number but then I rang my bank manager and he cancelled the card before they could take my money,” Mrs Yates said.

JDNSW
2nd September 2008, 07:30 PM
I suspect I may have had one of these today - I say "I suspect" because as soon as they said "congratulations, you have won a Caribbean holiday" - I hung up.

John

Lotz-A-Landies
2nd September 2008, 08:12 PM
Oh for the joys of an unlisted number and the fact that I don't answer the phone unless I recognise the number first.

If the bank wants to tell me something they can send me a letter. With a stamp on it!

Diana

Lotz-A-Landies
2nd September 2008, 09:23 PM
I get quite a few of those "congratulations...you have won" calls. I always hang up :D

I got a real beauty today
Phone rang, I picked up, and a recorded american accent said "all our operators are currently busy, please hold the line".......

nuff said....

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Nuff said what?

Who's Nuff?

:wasntme:

mark2
2nd September 2008, 09:33 PM
You said they already had your credit card details including the CVV. What were they after?

Thats what I was wondering!

cewilson
2nd September 2008, 10:00 PM
You said they already had your credit card details including the CVV. What were they after?


Myunderstanding is that they were after her permission to take money from her credit card. According to the bank this group tape all conversations as proof.

I hope that they end up catching them, as per what they advised us.

Cheers
Chris