longbeachmerchants.com

This came into us yesterday and after reading it closely thought this might be an IMPORTANT tool for the merchants who have/use credit cards. Mainly, just a REMINDER of how slick the crooks are getting.   Judi Andrew

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Team,

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 “Master Card”.

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 s cam 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 next 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 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 be en 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 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.

Long story - short - 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 giv e 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 Master Card” 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.

Please pass this on to all your family and friends.  By informing each other, we protect each other.

Jerry Phillips
VP Risk Manager
The Bank of the Pacific
360-642-1088
jphillips@thebankofpacific.com

Long Beach Merchants:

What ever we can do to assist this cause is good for us all. Please consider.

Steven Linhart, VP

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Dear Membership,

The Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking your assistance with the distribution of more than 5,700 small U.S. flags along area roadways.  Each flag will have a note that encourages the finder to bring it to our July Fourth Parade.

We need twenty-five donors who will each help us by sponsoring a mile of flags with a fifty dollar donation. We also need to sign up enough volunteers to place those flags early on the morning of the Fourth.

Please support our efforts and give the Chamber office a call today.  The number is 665-4448.

Thank you in advance,

Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 403, Ocean Park, WA  98640
opchamber@opwa.com

If you took a check from a Christopher Neaman in 2007 that was a NSF check please have the merchant file a police report as soon as possible.  There was $11,000 dollars worth of checks returned to merchants from June 2007 to Dec 2007.

Bob Andrew

Share an hour or two next Monday and here’s how.

Approximately 125 Ilwaco High School junior and seniors are participating in a Youth Employment Training Program in partnership with Grays Harbor College and Creative Solutions.   For the past two weeks, we have been in the classroom teaching students; basic customer service skills; how to complete a job application; and interviewing skills.

As part of this training, you are invited next Monday, May 19 to introduce your business, explain your interview process and give insight in to what you are looking for in an employment applicant. As a business owner or manager, please consider being a part of this wonderful opportunity to educate and inspire our local youth!

To participate, sign up for one or more of the class times listed below, include your contact information and return it by email to instructor Denise Jones, jonesonthecoast@gmail.com by Thursday, May 15. You may also choose to call to sign up or for additional information at 360-244-3925.  We will be contacting business participants to confirm the final schedule and check-in process at Ilwaco High School by Friday.

Our goal in the Youth Employment Training program is to communicate basic employment skills and connect our youth with the local business community to work toward social and economic growth.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration,

Denise Jones                            Teri Dodson
Creative Solutions                    Grays Harbor College

Monday, May 19

8:30-9:25 a.m.

10:30-11:25 a.m.

11:30-12:25 p.m.

1:00-1:55 p.m.

2:00-2:55 p.m.

The Yellow Pages phone books are being “delivered” around our community by tossing them close to mailboxes.  They come in a bag that includes the solicitation “Earn Extra Cash…Delivering Phone Books  Call 1-800-373-3280″
A call to that number will give you information about what is expected of the delivery people.  The overview does not include flagging all unoccupied comes in the area for the benefit of our local burglars nor does it say that the position allows the littering of the local community.

I would encourage all community advocates to call the number and lodge a complaint about the practices of their delivery people.

Tom Downer

Jack’s Country Store