Scammers must have a new batch of cards

[grandpa]

We received an online order, with Purchase Order listed as the payment method. No problem, it happens, and we don't put the order together until its been paid. That was last week. Today I got an email from the fellow, sounding quite angry, and wanting to know where his 'stuff' was.

As politely as I could, I told him "No money, no stuff".

He replied and included 'his' Visa card number, name, and expiration date. The name was different from the name on the order. So I called Visa and lo, neither name that I had matched the card. Bummer for this guy, he won't get his 'stuff' today, tomorrow, or ever.

I'm writing this because it looks like I'm not the only one of late to get orders like this... and yes, it's Nigeria. My guess is someone recently distributed a new batch of stolen card numbers. Maybe it just never stops....

If you've spent any time around these forums you are probably well versed in the scam. If you aren't, watch for unusually large orders shipping out of your own country.

And, for reference, I'll post the 800 numbers so you can verify the cardholder. In this case, they didn't tell me who the cardholder was, just that I didn't have the right name.

International Credit Card Validation
Visa 800-847-2911
M/C 800-307-7309

My biggest complaint now is with the boss. I told him right from the start, "Don't answer this guy's e-mail". Simply delete and move on. To do anything is to 'feed' him. Then he says, after the verification, "Tell him why, that his name is not right." Are you serious?!? Next week he'll be back with another name, trying again.

<edited typo>

[edited by: grandpa at 11:22 am (utc) on May 21, 2004]

[PCInk]

Never tell them why the card has been declined. Never.

Just state that the issuing bank has refused to confirm the payment and he/she will have to phone the card issuer themselves to resolve the problem and they will explain why it has been stopped.

[nancyb]

Better yet, if it's from Nigeria -
as grandpa says
just delete it and move on.

I do think grandpa may be right about a new batch of cards. My Nigerian orders slowed to almost nothing but within the last week I've been getting at least 2-3 a day. All for multiple quantities of the more expensive stuff on my site.

Since I use mailwasher I don't even download them, zap 'em on the server. It is to the point that I don't even get excited about an order until I look at the address :(

[Sanenet]

This may be why I once tried to buy something from a site, got a "request for more info" email and never heard anything back from them.

Nigeria is not in Europe yanks! :)

[kwngian]

Same here, four within a day, all nigerian ip addresses and another one requesting to send to nigeria but connecting from a uk provider.

Should do a trace on their ip address if you suspect something is amiss. The writing style, long list of items need urgently, cAp lOCks problems etc.

h%tp://www.ripe.net/ripencc/pub-services/db/whois/whois.html

[gazza]

Hey Grandpa or anybody else:

For those who aren't in the USA do you have these phone numbers w/o the freephone bit - how can we dial direct
from abroad?

International Credit Card Validation
Visa 800-847-2911
M/C 800-307-7309