Guys i got this in an email not sure if it has been posted before but this one you need to be vigilant. the maddest thing is a guy at work was on about it and then someone sends me an email

I received the following information from a member of staff and
> having had a need to talk to visa last week on a similar incident, I
> can confirm that this is happening. At this time of year approaching
> Christmas, please take note and be aware.
>
> "Please pass on to all people on your mailing list. I got this from a
> contact in the Halifax Visa team so it is happening!! Visa and
> MasterCard Scam. A friend was called on the telephone this week from
> 'VISA' and I was called on Thursday from 'MasterCard'. It worked
> like
> this: Person calling says,
>
> 'this is Carl Patterson (any name) and I'm calling from the Security
> and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card
> has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to
> verify. Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Company a device/any
> expensive item, for £497.99 from a marketing company based in (any
> town?). When you say 'No'. The caller continues with, 'Then we will
> be issuing a credit to your Account. This is a company we have been
> watching and the charges range from £297 To £497, just under the £500
> purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement,
> the credit will be sent to (they give you your address), is that
> correct?'
>
> You say, 'Yes'. The caller continues . . 'I will be starting a fraud
> investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800
> number listed on your card and ask for Security. You will need to
> refer to this Control number. They then give you a 6-digit number.
> 'Do you need me to read it again?'
>
> Caller then says he 'needs to verify you are in possession of your
> card' (this is where the scam takes place as up until now they have
> requested nothing!). They then ask you to turn your card over.
>
> There are numbers; the first 4 are 1234 (or whatever, as they have
> your number anyway). The next 3 are the security numbers that verify
> that you are in possession of the card' (these are the numbers they
> are really after as these are the numbers you use to make internet
> purchases to prove you have the card).
>
> 'Read me the 3 numbers.' When you do he says 'That is correct. I just
> needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that
> you still have your card. Do you have any other questions? Don't
> hesitate to call back if you do.'
>
> You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the
> Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we telephoned
> back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The
> REAL VISA security department told us it was a scam and in the last
> 15 minutes a new purchase of £497.99 WAS put on our card. Long story > made short. We made a real fraud report and closed the VISA card and > they are reissuing us a new number. What the scam wants is the 3-digit > number and that once the charge goes through, they keep changing every > few days.
>
> By the time you get your statement, you think the credit is coming,
> and then it's harder to actually file a fraud report.
>
> THE REAL VISA/MASTERCARD DEPARTMENT REINFORCED THE POINT THAT THEY
> WILL NEVER ASK FOR ANYTHING ABOUT THE CARD SINCE THEY ALREADY KNOW
> EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!!!!.
>
> What makes this even more remarkable is that on Thursday I got a call
> from 'Jason Richardson of MasterCard' with a word for word repeat of
> the VISA Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up. We filed
> a police report (as instructed by VISA), and they said they are
> taking several of these reports daily and to tell friends, relatives
> and co-workers so please pass this on to your friends..."
>