As if everyone isn’t nervous enough these days….it has just come to our attention that Discover Card customers are being victimized by a new type of spam. Emails are being sent to Discover Card customers informing the Discover Card customer to call an 800 telephone number to discuss recent unauthorized activity on their account. The example that we received was a spoof and appears to emanate from an ISP in Puerto Rico using an open relay of an organization in Maryland.
A representative at Kessler called Discover’s security department and learned that they are currently being inundated with complaints regarding this scam.
Our best advice is to use common sense. Question the validity of any correspondence or telephone calls you receive requesting personal information. If you are questioning a legitimate company they will understand the motive behind your requests and help you put your mind at ease. If the representative is hesitant, has an attitude or disconnects your call, visit the website for the company in question and contact their security or customer service department directly to determine if you were potentially the victim of fraud.
Be particularly cautious when transmitting confidential and personal information via email. It is all too easy for scammers to pose as someone else.
