While at the White Sox game last night, I received a phone call at 8pm. I let it go to voicemail because the number came up as "call" and I don't play that "oh, i wonder who this is?!" game. So, here's the voicemail msg:

"This message is for Jasmine Mxxxxxx. This is Alex with Visa Fraud Services and I'm calling about suspicious activity on your Visa card ending in xxxx. It's important that you call me back and have your card number available. Our number is 877-585-6486 and we're here 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is very important that you call me back as soon as possible."

First of all, I check my bank account almost daily, just to see what's going on. There's no suspicious activity. I've shopped at all the same stores, taken out the same $400 for rent as every other month, and I'm just as broke as I've ever been.

Second, I called my bank and the lady that I spoke to was like, "No! This is a good thing! You want them to pay attention to your card! You must've done something different this month." No, lady, I haven't done anything different this month. She's telling me that I should call them back. She verified the number and said that it is indeed Visa Fraud Services.

Third, it's a debit card with a Visa logo. It's not even a credit card, so I'm not sure why Visa would even give a crap about such small potatoes.

I'm going to my bank this afternoon to talk to a manager about this because it just doesn't seem right. Private number, doing business at 8pm on a Monday, etc.

Does it sound shady to you? Or am I being paranoid?

I'm not sure if you're just being paranoid or not, but these types of (legitimate) calls are fairly routine and ARE a good thing. However, almost always they are sparked by irregularity in charging/debiting. If the bank assured you it's legit, why not call it and see what's up?

it is a good thing.
someone once bought a computer with my card and it never went through because they checked with me first.

ive gotten phone calls from fraud services when i did things out of the ordinary - rented a car, paid for gas in other states, etc.
but if you havent done anything out of the ordinary then yes, that does seem a bit weird. also, keep in mind that activity couldve happened that maybe for one reason or another is taking a longer time to post to yr account.

I used to work in the Fraud department of a big bank (although I was dealing with companies rather than individuals) and I have to say it seems a little suspicious but maybe they just work harder than I did!

Never ever ever give your account number out over the phone. The bank know your account numbers, they don't need you to tell them and shouldn't have to ask you for it.

If you phone them back try and get through via a central switchboard or through your local branch. Don't call the number direct.

do you want to speak to the bank manager because you don't trust that she verified it or you just want two people to tell you the same thing or what?

the card services will be happy to tell you what your irregular purchase was. i'm only small potatoes, but i've gotten calls from visa. it's a good thing.

It's fraud. Just saw a warning on the local news about exactly this kind of call. Apparently they'll only ask you for the last three digits on the back of your credit card - which is your PIN. The next thing you know, you're out X amount of dollars and the scammers are dancing to the new Nelly Furtado in shiny purple Crocs.*












* scammers are renowned for having shitty taste

they have called me when i used my card in different cities before. its cool with me that they do that.

yeah, i'm going with this one. I just called Visa and they can't verify the number. I'll just go to my local bank and talk to the manager.

A big company like Visa wouldn't call from a blocked phone number. And why is it so important that I have my card number handy? Wouldn't he have it?

Plus, there's NO suspicious activity on my card. It's a debit card and honestly, there's not even enough money in my bank account to make a large purchase. I guess I answered my own question when I posted.

sound advice right here. they have everything they need, except for some type of verification from you about whatever seems to be irregular.

i got a similar call a few months ago because a clerk forgot to ring up a shirt at first, so there were two bills for the same store within five minutes of each other. the call was at 6-7pm on a weeknight.

Just be sure you call them at their published number. EDIT: never mind, you already did.

they call me every time I spend over $300.


<---- small potatoes.

It sounds like they actually have your card number. It might be a good idea to have your bank cancel the card and issue you a new one with a new number. It sounds like they got a bunch of your personal information from somewhere (phone number, credit card number - who knows what else) and they were hoping to get your card's 3-digit number and go on a shopping spree.

On a similar note, my AmEx Blue card has a Fraud Alert like this where they email you when suspicious activity takes place. Since I haven't used the card in ages, pretty much anything is suspicious, but earlier this year I got two emails stating that two larger purchases were made with the card. I called AmEx and was told that the card had been used a couple thousand miles away from me to spend $700 at a cellphone store and $1500 at a sporting goods store. Anyone who knows me knows I would never spend that kind of money on either of those kinds of items. All I had to do was tell AmEx was that those weren't my charges and everything was taken care of - new cards were sent a week later. I'd still love to know how someone got the info for that card, since it never gets used - it's not even in my wallet!

This is what makes me laugh. My paycheck isn't even enough for a proper shopping spree and I'm on a tight budget. I never have more than about $150 in my account at a time, and that's being generous.

<--- poor as hell. thieves, go elsewhere.

Yeah I have to agree with the 3 warning signs--

1. They called and said yr card number over the phone (on a msg no less!)

2. They said to have yr card ready. Most companies will not ask you specific questions regarding yr acct besides mother's maiden name or something like that.

3. The blocked number--as you've already found out.

Calling to verify is indeed a good thing, but you have to be careful. Also, did you give them a cell # when you signed up? I always give home #, to avoid confusion.

Yeah call them back. I found out the hard way when my card got cancelled when I was in Austin last year. THAT was lame.

Yeah but it's 150 from you 100 from someone else, 200 from someone else...And it adds up..They have the numbers, now the only work they have to do is place a phone call and see what happens..

If this is a legit call, the activity wouldn't show on your statements until AFTER they authorize the payment.

i would call the number on the back of your card and just ask.

it's a debit card. the charges show up immediately. i've gone out at lunch to the drug store, purchased something with my card, and by the time i've gotten back to the office, my account has been debited.

i don't think there's any authorization procedures for purchases made from a debit card.

i'm going to the bank in 15 minutes, so i guess all of my questions will be answered then. i wish i could post the voicemail message. dude sounds ten shades of shady.

SON OF A BITCH.

I knew I posted to you guys for a reason. Smarties.

Some piece of shit tried to charge $427.99 to my card at Target last night. Apparently they do take a look at these charges, even for debit cards. Red flag: I have much, much less than $427.99 in my account and that would've overdrawn me, obvs.

Card's cancelled. I feel sorry for the people I have to deal with this afternoon, because I am fucking furious.

I'm sorry, I ever doubted you, white trash bank. You really do love me.

oh no...

You'll have to listen to me bitch for a little while, but as long as there are cheese and crackers in the area, I'll be fine. You should, however, get me a special treat since I've had such a shitty morning.

I brought travel scrabble, you know.