credit card fraud

[Kaine]

Just want to run something past you guys;

Recently I have been receiving many telephone enquiries for very high value av equipment. Fortunately this is not a rare occurance, however in the cases of these specific calls, the client has no real understanding of what they want, aren't bothered with costs, and makes me very suspicious.

Usually the caller asks whether I can supply, for example, 42" Plasma screens, however they dont specify a make. They then ask what models I can supply, and how much. I spend the time to question exactly what the screens will be used for, and take them through the options and give them ideas of prices (usually at this point I am a little suspicious so quote rrp's), plus quote them 3/4 days delivery.

They then request a price for 2 or even 3 off, to which I quote.

They then immediately want to proceed and pay by credit card - even though at this point you could even buy cheaper from Comet or Currys and collect the same day - which means I would be making obscene profit.

At this point I am still willing to proceed, however to protect my own interests aswel as asking the caller for their full name/address and credit card details, additional I inform them for customer not present transactions, for such high value purchases I require them to either photo copy their credit card (front and back) and fax it to me, or post a copy of a recent (no later than 3 months old) utility bill from the card holders address to my office. Once I can get this clear information, I can proceed with the order. Every time I make these requests, the caller says ok/no problem, however I never hear from them again.

Now my question - am I scaring these potential high value customers away, or is what I am doing reasonable to you?

I see this activity as two-fold. 1. It protects me, and 2. It protects the general public from credit card fraud.

Q. Would you be unhappy with what I ask for?

Thanks for any comments/feedback.

Kaine

 

[Rob Earl]

Going from what you've said, if the potential purchaser was legit and had nothing to hide, they would gladly forward all the relevant documentation as required.
As you don't hear from them again, you have to assume the worst.
If you have an inkling that the person is a bit dodgy, can you ask to phone them back to confirm their phone number.
By the sounds of it, you are doing everything right and I wouldn't have a problem forwarding some form of ID to prove I am me - especially with the kinds of money you're talking about involved.

Don't drink drive! Not only is it socially unaceptable, it also harms A2's.
Was a 1.4SE petrol. http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk14.htm http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/safety.htm
New A2 - Ebony Black, Red Leather, CC, Symphony + all the previous options we had.

 

[runboy]

I would expect you to ask for proof.

If you have goods sent to the cardholders address then no further info is normally requested as I presume a check is done on the card holders name and address against the name and address for delivery. A differing address requires lots of proof-last mobile phone I bought and had delivered to work meant a raft of faxes to sort out.

Do you ask for the CV2 number from the reverse of the card-I wonder if these are cloned card details or card receipts from bin bags where you wouldn't have the CV2 number.

Maybe a strange order-why order a number of such large items-not exactly 'down the pub and sell them' type stuff such as mobiles, cameras etc.

To be honest I would have a quick chat with the local plod, just to make them aware so if anyone does accept the order and is caught out they may be able to piece something together.

I wonder what would happen if you took the card details, name and address and never processed them. Would they chase you or just leave it?



Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

 

[swiv]

IMO, you're doing the right thing Kaine.
As a legit buyer, I certainly would not be bothered by your request to provide additional information, virtually regardless of what you exactly ask. As long as you do not ask me to specifiy my exact income, I would be more than happy to prove that I own the card, live where I'm supposed to live, or have some connection to the delivery address.

If you're a really conscious businessman (forgive my perhaps inapt wording), you could take part of the creditcard details and notify the police and/or the creditcard company.

If my creditcard details were on the loose, I would be very, very grateful that people like you exist. There's no fame in it for you, but like you say yourself: you're protecting the general public, which you're part of too.

But it's all very tempting...

Take care,

Edo

--
(2003 Silver 1.4 Tdi Exclusive(SE), 95bhp/235Nm chiptuned by ABT, black interior, sport seats, heated mirrors, JVC KD-SH909RB cd-receiver, Infinity Kappa 63.1 + Vifa on-dash tweeters, 12" Subwoofer on 300w Amp)

 

[Kaine]

Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated.

quote:If you have goods sent to the cardholders address then no further info is normally requested as I presume a check is done on the card holders name and address against the name and address for delivery. A differing address requires lots of proof-last mobile phone I bought and had delivered to work meant a raft of faxes to sort out.

Steve - your right, and for the vast majority of my sales I rely on the credit card check process for validation. However, as you may be aware of, there are occurances when people will wait outside a target address for the delivery driver, or even call just prior to the delivery claiming they have to go out and can the collect from the depot - many many excuses that unfortunately work - and the value of items being supplied, its worth the risk to some people.

quote:.. you could take part of the creditcard details and notify the police and/or the creditcard company.

Oddly enough I tried to inform my the credit card company previously however they weren't interested. Since no fraud actually took place, they said there is no point in taking the information (plus also took no time in reminding me, if I did proceed, I would be liable) - maybe next time I should just contact the police instead.

Thanks again for the replies,

Kaine

 

[Kaine]

quote:But it's all very tempting...

you can say that again. The last bogus order would have been worth almost 3.5k profit in a single sale - or more likely 6k loss

Kaine

 

[runboy]

The police could at least log an intelligence report for future reference.

Credit card companies get away with it by charging us for the fraud cases in the interst rates. Gits.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

 

[maersk]

I have to say that I would not photo copy the front and back of my card and send it to you.
You could be the dodgy party.............. if you see what I mean.
Contact the card company and ask them to do a check with the registered owner of the card. They will phone the guy (or guyess) and ask if they are attempting to purchase the items. Once confirmed (or not) they will ring you to ok the transaction.

 

[Kaine]

Cheers Maersk. Thats where I was coming from really - I have only called a credit card company once with such a query, without much success. Have you got some experience of this? done this before?

Kaine

P.S. I do give them the option of forwarding a copy of a utility bill with the registered address details on - in place of the copied card details. Not sure why this would be that dodgy, as they have to give me all the details of the card anyway.

 

[maersk]

I bought a Sony widescreen telly and cinema surround system and when the guy in the shop was processing my card, the card company rang me on my mobile (in the shop) to ask if I was buying the kit.
I was impressed.

 

[Kaine]

thats very good. I guess thats a service provided by your credit card company, as visa/mastercard dont offer that to the reseller - I'll have to check it out.