Webmomz got punked - credit card fraud by advertisers - How you can beware
Call it identify theft, stolen credit cards, or credit card fraud - we got punked!
I got a call today from a bank. It seems there is an older gentleman who is deaf and didn’t remember ordering any online advertising on Webmomz and didn’t even know who Webmomz is. No problem, I look up the order, read it back to the bank lady. A lot of people order things online and forget when the credit card bill comes what it was they ordered.
Turns out this guy didn’t order any advertising at all. Someone stole his credit card and ordered a solo email ad, a button ad, and a text link on Webmomz. Now we are out almost $600 in home business advertising revenues.
Not fair to us. Not fair to the guy whose credit card number was stolen. And someone out in “net land” is a real jerk that thinks he pulled something on someone.
Just wanted to make you aware this kind of thing happens. In 4 years of business, it’s the first time it happened to us. I am hoping that they can catch this guy and prosecute.
So if you get a big advertising order, don’t be afraid to question it. You never know if it’s a real order, or a scam.
Has your credit card number ever been stolen? Have you had someone purchase someone on your website with a stolen credit card number? Have you experienced credit card fraud first hand? Share your experience here.
Technorati Tags: identify theft, stolen credit cards, credit card fraud, stolen credit card number, credit card fraud
Posted on April 23rd, 2007 at 3:28 pm. About 'Webmomz got punked - credit card fraud by advertisers - How you can beware'.
That’s a shame that this happened.
I’m curious about what you did with the advertising?
Was the ad for a company that offered items for sale - and therefore could put your subscribers’ credit card information into the hands of the scammer?
If you’ve already ran the ads, are you planning on trying to tell your customers who may have purchased something from the ads, or may even now be considering a purchase, that this person has already purchased items with a stolen credit card, so that we should be wary or doing business with them?
I’d love to hear what you think businesses who find themselves in this type of situation should do in order to minimize the damage to their business, their reputation, and to minimize the problems of people who purchased something as a result of the ads.
Posted on April 24th, 2007 at 3:20 am. About 'Webmomz got punked - credit card fraud by advertisers - How you can beware'.
I know another scamer’s trick:
You have call. The callers do not ask you your credit card nomber (he already have it - this information is worth reading):
“This is …(his name), and I’m calling from the Security Department at VISA. My Badge number is 18561. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I nedd to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by …(name of credit card bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $566.99 from a Marketing company based in Florida?”
When you say “No”, he continue with: “Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $286 to $496, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?”
You say “yes”. The caller continues - “I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security.
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. “Do you need me to read it again?”
Here’s the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, “I need to verify you are in possession of your card”. He’ll ask you to “turn your card over and look for some numbers”. ; There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers’ that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he’ll say, “That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card.
Posted on April 27th, 2007 at 5:33 pm. About 'Webmomz got punked - credit card fraud by advertisers - How you can beware'.
I’m sorry, Kristie! That is such a bummer!
Posted on April 30th, 2007 at 1:13 am. About 'Webmomz got punked - credit card fraud by advertisers - How you can beware'.
I wish these people would put their brains to better use.