Credit Card Company VISA Straight on Phishers’ Target

Attorney General of Kansas (US), Steve Six, issued a warning on April 9, 2009 about a latest scam involving phishing e-mail that is abusing a credit-card company VISA, as reported by infoZine on April 11, 2009.

The phishing e-mail purports to come from VISA and exploits the company's fraud prevention program "Verified by VISA", according to Six. The e-mail informs the recipient that from April 4, 2009 onwards, it will be mandatory for all customers of VISA credit card to register in the program. An online form is also attached to the e-mail that asks the recipients to activate the feature by giving their VISA card number, PIN, expiry date of the credit card and its verification value.

Moreover, phishers have done best possible efforts to make the fake VISA website appear authentic. They have added all the logos and have even provided a FAQ (frequently asked questions) link.

The fraudulent e-mail calls upon the recipient to take a prompt action, otherwise his online purchases will be rendered disable. This trick is clearly intended to obtain the sensitive details of the recipients by creating panic among them.

As soon as VISA came to know about the phishing scam, it told that it never communicate its customers through e-mails. Also, it does not ask customers for providing their personal identification details by e-mail.

Mentioning this phishing scam, several security experts including Six are warning the Internet users to remain wary of such unsolicited e-mails that directs them to click open a link and reveal their personal information, including credit card details and PIN. Legitimate providers never ask for such details through unsolicited e-mails.

VISA also told its customers to inform the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1(800) 432-2310 in case they receive such e-mails purporting to be sent by VISA. Customers may also bring it to the notice of local law enforcement authorities and their banks, as scammers tend to make online purchases without any delay in the name of the victims. So, in this way, phishers may be apprehended in time.

Meanwhile, security experts stated that online scammers frequently target various financial institutions such as VISA. They also make use of several top stories to trick people into their scam.

Related article: Credit Union Warns of Phishing E-Mail

» SPAMfighter News - 4/17/2009