Three-digit spam scam is of no benefit

SPAMMERS HAVE apparently revived an old message warning recipients about the dangers of providing cold callers with details about your credit card.

The message builds on fears about the recent data loss by the UK's Child Benefit Agency.

The message says fraudsters are attempting to trick you into providing the CVV2 (CVC2) codes on the back on your card. That's the three digits which you need to provide to prove the card is physically in your possession.

Curiously, although this is undoubtedly spam, the sender appears to have a point. If the data lost by the Child benefit Agency has been released then there's a possibility a criminal might have every bit of information about you besides the CVV2 number.

It does seem unlikely that a fraudster working from such data
from Child Benefit records would have your credit or debit card number but he/she would definitely have everything else.

This spam mentions the words "Anti-Telemarketing Device", so in fact the spammed message is easy to spot.

There's a whole break-down about this particular message on the specialist site, Hoax-slayer. But, somewhat bizarrely the actual advice given in the message is sound.

Just don't give out your CVV2 number. µ

See Also
Hoax Slayer