Charles Huggins

Staff Writer n charlesh@nwanews.com

Credit card scammers have become increasingly cunning in an attempt to gain access to personal account information that could wring your bank account dry.

In this latest ruse confirmed by www.snopes.com, an Internet Web site that researches hoaxes to prove or disprove them, the con artists, already in possession of the account number, call posing as fraud investigation agents. They say that the credit card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern and that $497.99 has been charged to the account. The scammers inform the victim that a fraud investigation is underway and they will be issuing a credit to the account.

The trick comes when they ask for the three-digit number on the back of the credit card which is used for Internet purchases. The scammers say that they need the numbers to confirm that the victim is in possession of the card.

After the call the scammers then, using that three-digit number, charge $497.99 to the account. The account holder may be unaware of the deceit, since the fake fraud investigator already told the victim that the order was processed. Once the charge goes through, they keep charging the account periodically.

Victims of identity theft should alert the Federal Trade Commission, which gives tips on what to do and how to prevent it. Contact the fraud department of one of the three national reporting organizations to place a fraud alert on the name and Social Security number.

Close all accounts that have been tampered with and file a police report in the jurisdiction where the scam took place. Make copies of the credit cards for both sides as the backs of the cards have important telephone numbers, and get a copy of the police report.

There are a number of ways to protect personal information from falling into the wrong hands. Always verify phone calls and the person calling before giving up any account information. Credit card companies rarely conduct business over the phone and will not ask for information they already have.

Only include the initials along with the last name on checks so the thieves will not know how to sign the name on the check. When writing checks to pay on credit card accounts, do not put the account number on the "For" line. Also put a work phone number on checks instead of a home phone number. In addition to photocopying both sides of any credit cards, it is a good idea to copy all the contents of a wallet or purse and keep the copy in a safe place.

Anyone that has been a victim of identity theft should contact any of three consumer reporting agencies. Dial 1-800-525-6285 for Equifax, 1-888-397-3742 for Experian and 1-800-680-7289 for Trans Union. Also call the fraud line of the Social Security Administration at 1-800-269-0271. For more information on identity theft, log on to the FTC's website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft/