Attorney General Charlie Crist News Release

January 13, 2004 Media Contact: Jenn Meale Phone: (850) 245-0150

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TALLAHASSEE – Attorney General Charlie Crist is warning consumers to be alert for a clever scam designed to trick consumers into revealing numbers on their credit card accounts. Callers identifying themselves as representatives of the fraud department of major credit card providers claim to be acting to help consumers receive a refund of fraudulent charges of between $300 and $500 allegedly placed on their credit cards.

To gain the consumer’s trust, the caller indicates the need to "verify" that the consumer still possesses his or her own credit card. After gaining the trust of the consumer, callers are able to obtain vital numbers in the credit card accounts and quickly begin to purchase items with the account numbers.

"This outrageous scam is a well-conceived and well-executed theft operation," said Crist. "The thieves’ ability to convince consumers that they represent familiar national credit card companies is the key. Our advice to consumers is to immediately hang up the telephone and call the fraud department of the company. It is likely that the call is fraudulent. Together, we must put these con artists out of business."

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