|
(Date Posted:02/03/2007 7:46 PM)
fromhttp://www.idahostatesman.com/103/story/69826.htmlScam Alert: TTY scam uses bad credit cards to swindle businesses- Idaho StatesmanEdition Date: 02/03/07Businesses across our region are receiving orders for large quantities of merchandise, using the TTY (Text Telephone Yoke) service and stolen credit-card numbers.The buyers typically want the merchandise shipped to an out-of-state or out-of-country address by the fastest possible method. And they want to pay by credit card. The merchandise is shipped to the buyer's address, and the business finds out later that the credit card number is either fraudulent or stolen.If your company receives a call like this, beware!While recent businesses taken by this scam have been in the building materials and supply trades, no industry is immune.Some factors common to this types of fraud include:. The buyer is completely unknown to the business and places an unusually large order.. Shipping destinations are out-of-state or out-of-country.. Expedited shipping is requested to what appears to be a residential address, but might also be misrepresented as a business address.. The initial credit card number is declined by the bank, and the buyer offers an alternate number.. The caller does not question the purchase price and makes no effort to negotiate .Protect your business by following these tips:. If the customer is using a TTY Relay Operator, ask for the buyer's full name, address and telephone number.. Ask the buyer to provide the name of the issuing bank and its toll-free customer-service number as printed on the back of all credit cards.. Ask the customer for the three- or four-digit card verification code found near the account number on the back or front of a credit card.. Tell the buyer that you will check with the bank and call back. When you do that, keep good notes. Verify all information the buyer gives.. If the buyer insists on paying with a certified check, hold the shipment for at least two weeks to allow the bank time to verify funds.Nora J. Carpenter is executive director of the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit organization serving Southwest Idaho and Eastern Oregon. For questions or comments about this weekly feature, go to www.askbbb.org or call 342-4649 or (800)-218-1001.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Informations about Internet Scams: Fraudwatchers.org - Fake Bank Killing: aa419.org
Guidance about Love Scams: Internet-Love-Scams.org - Discussion about Pyramid-/Ponzi-schemes, HYIPs et al: Cattyshaq.com
|
