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Alert!

Credit Card Fix Could Leave You Broke

Beware:

Telephone solicitors posing as service representatives are trying to obtain your credit card number by offering a solution to a problem that does not exist.

A person claiming to be from your credit card company explains that you will not be able to use your credit card starting January 1st, 2000. The problem is with the magnetic strip on the back of the card. The seemingly helpful person on the other end of the line offers to send a new sticker that can replace the faulty strip.

However, before they can send you the replacement sticker they need your credit card number for verification. Once you give them your credit card number, they will attempt to charge purchases to your account.

Be Wise:

Never give your credit card number over the phone, unless you are making the inquiry.

Pay attention to the caller's spiel. For example, if a credit card company calls a customer, it should already know that person's account number. If they do ask for verification, they ask for things like your mother's maiden name or the numbers in your postal code.

If you do have any concerns contact your credit card issuer directly, rather than responding immediately.

Check your statements when they arrive. If there are any unusual purchases contact your credit card company immediately.

Keep at least six months' worth of statements. If there is a problem in the new year you will have a paper trail.

For more information on telephone scams and/or fraudulent activity please contact the following organizations:

Project Phonebusters (telephone scams only): 1-888-495-8501
Winnipeg Police Department: (204) 986-6222
Industry Canada Competition Bureau: 1-800-348-5358
Consumers' Association of Canada (Manitoba)
In Winnipeg: (204) 452-2572
Toll-free: 1-888-596-0900

*CAC Manitoba compiles information about scams from various sources, agencies, and publications that are available in our InfoCentre. The issue of ScamWatch was written with the help of information from the Strategis website, www.strategis.ic.gc.ca