Avoid Being Scammed - Do not Give your Credit Card Number to an Unidentified Entity
Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2009
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
One of my responsibilities as a Credit Manager is to call clients and request payments via Credit/Debit cards. I identify myself and state the name of the company I am calling from, and seem to have a reasonable amount of knowledge regarding your situation. I even tell you I already have your card number on file and I just need the "new" expiration date and security code (The 3-digit code on the back of the card). Should you readily give me your credit card number? The answer is no.
Fraud is a lucrative business and crooks are amazingly articulate liars – their "talents" could be used in better ways in my opinion, but the fact is, fraud is a quick road to cold-hard cash and attaining desired merchandise.
The information I share is nothing new, but rather a reminder to play it safe and gain control of the conversation by asking the caller a few questions of your own.
1) Ask the caller to read the card number he/she has on file to you.
2) Ask the caller for the main telephone number of the company he/she is calling from and you will gladly return the call momentarily and ask to speak to him or her.
3) Take a few moments to "locate a pen and piece of paper".
4) Thank him/her for their understanding and follow through in returning the call.
If the caller is a legitimate employee of a legitimate company, he/she will graciously comply with your requests. Most will applaud you in keeping your credit card number as safe as possible.
If a fraud, he/she will hang up or respond with an abrasive tone to intimidate you into giving your information. Even going to the point of making you feel as if you are trying to avoid paying your debt. Don't be fooled – hang up immediately. Then report a possible fraud - learn how by reading the following information at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/phonefraud/report.shtml.
We may not have control over the Internet hackers who steal our information; however, we have control over whom we voluntarily give our information to.
Too many clients, especially the ones who are embarrassed by a missed payment, are quick to give me their card numbers. Recently, I was happy when a client told me she did not feel comfortable giving me the number. I offered her the main telephone number instead of my extension. I giggled after the third time she put me on hold only to come back a bit surprised I was still on the line. She finally took my number and said she would call back shortly – which she did.
© Teresa Ortiz
The information I share is nothing new, but rather a reminder to play it safe and gain control of the conversation by asking the caller a few questions of your own.
1) Ask the caller to read the card number he/she has on file to you.
2) Ask the caller for the main telephone number of the company he/she is calling from and you will gladly return the call momentarily and ask to speak to him or her.
3) Take a few moments to "locate a pen and piece of paper".
4) Thank him/her for their understanding and follow through in returning the call.
If the caller is a legitimate employee of a legitimate company, he/she will graciously comply with your requests. Most will applaud you in keeping your credit card number as safe as possible.
If a fraud, he/she will hang up or respond with an abrasive tone to intimidate you into giving your information. Even going to the point of making you feel as if you are trying to avoid paying your debt. Don't be fooled – hang up immediately. Then report a possible fraud - learn how by reading the following information at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/phonefraud/report.shtml.
We may not have control over the Internet hackers who steal our information; however, we have control over whom we voluntarily give our information to.
Too many clients, especially the ones who are embarrassed by a missed payment, are quick to give me their card numbers. Recently, I was happy when a client told me she did not feel comfortable giving me the number. I offered her the main telephone number instead of my extension. I giggled after the third time she put me on hold only to come back a bit surprised I was still on the line. She finally took my number and said she would call back shortly – which she did.
© Teresa Ortiz
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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)Great information relayed well, Teresa. Thanks for the advice from a pro!Thanks Lorrie,You would think since I do this for a living I wouldn't fall for this stuff, but when I am at home, and off my guard, these calls can be intimidating, it happened not too long ago. And then with this client, I felt this a good time to write and remind myself too :-)
This a much needed article, Sis. So many folks are ripped off this way.Thanks bro-bro, I sure hope it is helpful. Scammers are getting more and more creative - so much so, the honest folks need to try and start thinking like one, at least enough to remind ourselves that their really are people that cruel in the world.Have a blessed day! Sis
This fraud problem is scarily common and becoming more so! Thanks for this little bit of advice and gentle warning. This deserves to be read lots of times! Oh it already is being! :) JulianHi Julian, thanks so much for the comment. It is a sad fact and we have to do everything we can to protect ourselves. Blessings to you! Teresa
Hi Teresa.Thanks for the reminder to be careful.Hugs,DianneHi Dianne, I hope it helps, its seems the most eager to please and make things right are the elderly and for the most part these are who the scammers pray on, but that does not exempt any other age group. Although the younger crowd seem to be the ones that get scammed by those get rich quick schemes.Thanks for the comment. Have a fabulous weekend! Hugs, Teresa
Yeah, I get many calls asking for private information I just hang-up on them. It's a shame how so many people are corrupt in our society. Good article and sound advice, thanks for sharingHi David, its good to hear from you. Thanks for the commenting and reinforcing the thought that it is okay to hang up. Good for you. Blessings! Teresa
hi t,this was a very helpful article, and it's a shame there are so many people out there trying to scam.i guess the numbers haven't changed as much as the convenience of the internet to expedite their scams.thanks for sharing this,my best,sueHi Sue, I appreciate your input. It would be nice if these people would use their skills to make the world a better place. We can hope and pray because some people do turn around.Blessings to you! t
Great article. Well done.I don't care who is phoning I won't give it to them - if the Gordon Brown wanted it I would not give it to him over the phone. "It's mine all mine" I say in a Golom from Lord of the Rings way.Well, not really but I want to.Hi Connor,Ha! I would love to say it like that too! I love Lord of the Rings.I should call it the precious.
Teresa, thanks for keeping us in rememberance. I know you are not suprised, that in our daily activities we believe in the Microwave Syndrome, quick, as if we never have enough time. We can make the mistake honestly without even thinking and end up in havoc. Thanks again..isn't this the truth! Blessings, Teresa
Great advice, especially the part about asking to have them repeat the card number they already have on file--never thought of that--great reminders--thanks!Hi Steve, I am glad you found this helpful. Blessings to you! Teresa
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