Credit card phishing scams... don't take the bait!

This one is pretty slick...they provide YOU with all the information, except for the one thing they really want! The caller will not ask you for your card number, they already have it. They will identify themselves as being with the Security and Fraud Department at MasterCard or VISA, perhaps even your Credit Union, and may even provide you with their "badge number" or "employee id" to better position themselves to successfully deceive you. Typically, they will tell you that they have contacted you due to your purchase pattern being flagged. They will inquire about a recent purchase which you did not make. After telling you they will initiate a fraud investigation on your account and issue a credit, they will ask you for a very important piece of information under the guise of needing to verify that you are in possession of your card. They will ask you to verify the three digit number printed on the back of your card. Do not divulge this information on a call that you did not initiate!