Another Scam to Watch

HOW I ALMOST GOT DUPED!

I do take pride that I am a tech savy, with it, kind of guy.  Not too much slips by me, but a new one came to me and everyone needs to hear about it.

I received a text from Chase Bank that asked if I was trying to make a large purchase of $5,700 on my Chase credit card.  It said text back “1” if this is accurate or “2” if it is not me. 

This was not unusual since Citibank had once done that with a charge that I had made, and it was a security check to make sure I was making a purchase.

Since this time it was not my charge, I texted back “2” to confirm that it was a false charge.  Within a minute, another text came saying thank you and the Chase Fraud Department would follow up with me and look into the false attempt.

A 2^nd text came in saying that I should call the Chase Fraud Unit and gave me the 800 number and a transaction code to put in the phone when the automatic system answered.  I did as instructed. 

Then...I blew it! 

The auto attendant said put in my card number to begin.  Since I was dealing directly with Chase Fraud, I did as instructed. 

Within 10 seconds, my brain started to work and I smelled a rat.  I hung up the phone and I dialed Chase Bank on a number that I looked up on the Chase website.  The REAL fraud unit said my account was fine and they did not call nor text me. 

I had been had ! 

Needless to say, my card was immediately canceled without any false charges, and they are sending a replacement card.

Then the fun began. 

I called the number on the text and a real person picked up and said “Chase Fraud Unit, can I help you?”

I told them that I received the text and did not know what to do. The nice lady said she would help me.  I then asked her name and phone number so if we got disconnected, I could call her back.  She actually gave me a name and number.

I then asked her to check her information to make sure it was my card and she said the computers are down so she could not comply with my request. 

 Here is the number I called   800-978-8664. 

The auto attendant says Chase Fraud Unit. This is a scam. 

They wanted me to give them confidential information so they could steal from me.

Had I not called the REAL Chase and canceled my card, I am confident that they would have emptied my account. 

The first moral of the story.

IF YOU GET MAIL, TEXT, EMAIL OR ANY COMMUNICATION ASKING FOR ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION, ACCOUNT NUMBERS, TRANSACTIONS, DO NOT RESPOND...

...YOU SHOULD INITIATE ANY CONVERSATION BY LOOKING UP THE NUMBER AND CALLING THEM. 

 DO NOT CALL THE PHONE NUMBER THAT THE SCAMMERS GIVE YOU. 

DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO ANY LOGO ON COMMUNICATIONS AS SCAMMERS DUPLICATE THEM.

A sad postscript!

I told Chase the story and the real fraud unit had no interest in getting the phone number or information on the scammers. 

Moral #2

You are on your own to protect yourself and your loved ones!

Allen Weintraub