Beware of Current Telephone Scam!

In the past few days, several area residents have received phone calls from a male stating that he is from their credit card company. He says that their credit card has been deactivated due to the fact that they are being shown as deceased on the account.

The male asks for the elder resident to confirm their credit card number. If the resident refuses to give his account number and information, he states that all the elder’s credit cards will be deactivated for up to three weeks and that they will not be able to use them.

After the credit card number is given, the male then states that they will activate the card for the senior.

This is a total scam and telephone fraud.

The male is described as having a European accent. He is very clever and convincing. He offers toll-free 800 telephone numbers for the resident to confirm that he is legitimate.

One elder victim even called his own credit card company and was told incorrectly that this type of calling is not unusual. Later the resident called his Visa company again to check on his account and discovered an illegal, unauthorized charge of $1600 had been sent to an unknown party.

This criminal called six other residents in the same senior complex asking for the same information. After one resident hung up from the unidentified male and tried to verify the information through the presented toll-free number, there was no answer at that number.

Absolutely no one should give their credit card number, social security number, or personal information out over the phone. The banks and credit card companies already have your information on file. They do not have to get the information from you.

Do not answer any personal questions over the phone. Simply state that you are not interested and hang up. If you can’t hang up, have them mail you literature if they are soliciting money or information. This will give you time to evaluate and investigate the source.

Also please report any unusual suspicious telephone solicitation or telephone fraud to your local police department or the Protective Services department at MVES.