Updated April 17, 2007

A card scam that has made the rounds for several years seems to be resurfacing. Here's how it works:

• A caller claims to work for the fraud department at Visa or MasterCard and provides a badge number.
• The caller then asks if you recently purchased an anti-telemarketing device for nearly $500. When you say "no," he tells you the fraud department has been watching that company.
• He then offers to block the charge and asks to verify your name, address, credit card number and expiration date, and asks for the three-digit code on the back of the credit card.

Do NOT give out the three-digit code and do NOT verify other information the caller claims to already have.

Thieves who may have already stolen your credit card information from another source can't use your card until they get the three-digit code to complete their fraudulent transaction.

If you receive this type of phone call, just hang up. A credit card company does NOT ask cardholders to disclose security codes or provide any information verifying a physical possession of a card.

If you believe you have given personal information to an illegitimate source, you should contact the three credit reporting agencies immediately and monitor your credit files and account statements closely.

Please contact us if you have questions about this scam.