Attention Stonebridge Residents!!!!

Attention Stonebridge residents!!!!

Be alert for a white female and, or a black male who knocks on your door asking for help. Apparently this is a ruse to gain entry to your home. Call the police if they become rude or aggressive. This alert is from John James, SBC Civic League President.

The Latest Visa / MasterCard FRAUD

This alert is courtesy of Rufus Jackson, President of The Booker T Washington Class of 1968.

Just a heads up for everyone regarding the latest in Visa fraud.
Royal Bank received this communication about the newest scam. This is
happening in southern Alberta right now and moving to the US.

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the
information, except the one piece they want...

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have
it.

This information is worth reading By understanding how the VISA &
MasterCard telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to
protect yourself. One of our employees was called on Wednesday from 'VISA',
and I was called on Thursday from 'MasterCard'.

The scam works like this:

Person calling says - 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the
Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460, Your card
has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify.
This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you
purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company
based in Arizona ?'

When you say 'No', the caller continues
with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company
we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under
the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement,
the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?' You
say 'yes'.

The caller continues - 'I will be starting a
Fraud Investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800
number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security.
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6
digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam
works - The caller then says, 'I need to verify you are in possession of
your card'. He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for some
numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the
last 3 are the Security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the
card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to
prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the last 3 numbers
to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is
correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen,
and that you still have your card Do you have any other questions?'

After you say no, the caller then thanks you
and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do', and hangs up. You
actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card
number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back. Within 20
minutes to ask a question. Are we were glad we did! The REAL VISA Security
Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase
of $497.99 was charged to our card. We made a real fraud report and closed
the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number.. What the scammers
want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to
them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master Card directly for
verification of their conversation..

The real VISA told us that they will never
ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they
issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think
you're receiving a credit; however, by the time you get your statement
you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost
too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on
Thursday, I got a call from a 'Jason Richardson of MasterCard' with a
word-for-word repeat of the VISA Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I
hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said
they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell
everybody we know that this scam is happening. I dealt with a similar
situation this morning, with the caller telling me that $3,097 had been
charged to my account for plane tickets to Spain , and so on through the
above routine..
(They get you all upset and worried about
the charges you did not make) Then while you are preoccupied, they start
their spiel and get you off guard so they can ask one final question..Your
Security Code....
It appears that this Is a very active scam,
and evidently quite successful. Verified by Snopes:
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

Japan Disaster Relief Information and Donation Info

Hello Fellow Residents,
I am sure we all share deepest heartfelt sympathy for the victims of
the horrible events in Japan. Times of tradjedy such as this inspires
people to want to help in some way. It also brings out the scammers
looking to make a buck.

Be wary of people seeking donations for any cause. Don't give to strangers
who contact you by e-mail or on the phone. If you've never heard of a charity,
check to see if it is listed on Charity Navigator, which evaluates the financial health and efficiency of more than 5,500 organizations.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the FBI reported that 4,000 scamming
charity sites were created to take advantage of generous donors. If you have received a suspicious e-mail, or have been contacted by someone claiming
to be a victim of a disaster and you are skeptical, the FBI suggests that you contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.

Also, you should be especially cautious of appeals seeking personal information
such as PIN and account numbers, and contribute only to well-established organizations such as the American Red Cross.

A charitable organization can be checked out through online resources, such
as GuideStar and the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.

Here is a link to an article that explains why you should use texting to make your donations:
Groups use texts, social media for Japan donations. It is very informatiive.

Finally, To make donations, below is a list of organizations contributing to the relief effort.

Japan Relief Donations
Save the Children: Emergency Relief for Japan Quake
www.savethechildren.org/japanquake
Toll free: 800-728-3843
Text JAPAN or 20222 to donate.

The American Red Cross: Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief
www.redcross.org
Text REDCROSS or 90999 to make $10 donation by text message.

Salvation Army
donate.salvationarmyusa.org
Toll free: 800-SAL-ARMY
Text QUAKE or 80888 to donate $10

International Medical Corps
www.internationalmedicalcorps.org
Text MED or 80888 to donate $10

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Global Giving
www.globalgiving.org
Text JAPAN or 50555 to donate $10

World Vision
www.worldvision.org
Toll Free: 888-56-CHILD Text 4JAPAN to 20222 to donate $10

Additionally, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Comcast, Cox, and Dish Network are offering
free calls and texting to Japan for a limited time. You can also text a donation
using Verizon and AT&T.

Be Thankful For All You Have

Edward L. West Sr.