Another con game at work

I just hung up a call from one stranger who claimed that he represents the computer company that has a joint promotion with the Citibank-Air Asia credit cards. He told me he has to "verify" information of the cardholders who want to purchase HP Compaq Presario at a discount.

I did signed up the deal to the purchase and was waiting for the delivery of the computer and thus i did not suspect anything strange. He started by asking for the expiry date of my credit card and the address that i wish the computer to be delivered to, which sounded quite normal.

The last 3 digit is the security number, never reveal them!
But then he asked me for the last 3-digit of the 7-digit number on the back of the credit card. I was alerted to this as this is actually the security number that is required for internet banking or electronic banking. These 3-digit number would enable anyone to purchase on-line as long as they know your credit card's details and revealing them is as good as hanging your credit card to the stranger.

I asked him why did he ask for the 3-digit number and told him that he should know what he can do with the security number. He told me that he needs the numbers to arrange for payment for the computer. I told him that the joint promotion with the Citibank-Air Asia credit card has assure the payment. When i demanded that he give me an explanation for the request ,his reply was"i did not force you." But i told him that he should know better not to do it again as it is a crime under our law to cheat.

Beware and be alert!
There are many card holders who do not know the security related features of the credit cards and how they work on on-line purchasing or other cyber transactions and they feel that as long as the credit cards are in their physical possession everything is OK. But when the con man strikes, it is too late and in law "ignorance is not an excuse".

DAP has on several occasions reminded the people to be alert and not be too trusting as there simply are too many con men around us. Some of them sound very genuine like the incident above-mentioned while some could be see-through and too obvious.

David Wong
DAP Sarawak publicity sec.,
18-10-2007