Protecting Your Credit Card Security Code
What’s That Number on the Back of Your Credit Card?
It used to be that thieves were just interested in gaining access to your credit card number, but nowadays, the three digit code on the back of your credit card may be more of a target than the actual credit card number itself.
What Is That Three Digit Code on the Back Of Your Card?
The three digit code on the back of your credit card, called the CVC2 code, is a code that many online stores are now requiring in order for you to make a purchase. Without this three digit code, online shopping may become impossible. That’s why more and more thieves are trying desperately to get the code to credit cards that they already have the number to.
A New Scam
There’s a new scam out there and the point of that scam is to get that three digit code on the back of your credit card. The con artist will call you pretending to be the fraud department of your credit card company. They will tell you that your card was noticed by security because of an unusual purchase pattern. Of course you didn’t make any unusual purchases, so the scam artist asks you to provide the three-digit security code on the back of your card to prove you didn’t make the charges and then gives you a phony control number.
Think no harm done? Think again. Now the scam artist has everything they need in order to use your card to make fraudulent purchases on the web.
Avoid Becoming a Target
So how do you avoid getting taken in by this scam? Never, ever give out any of your credit card information, whether it be the credit card number or the CVC2 code, unless you initiated the call to your credit card company. If someone calls you asking for this information, chances are they are trying to pull a fast one on you.
If you do accidentally give out your information to someone over the phone or via email, immediately contact your credit card company and alert them to the problem. They will instruct you as to what measures need to be taken.