Scammers posing as Verifone Help Desk agents

We received the following notice from Verifone about fraudulent phone calls placed by scammers impersonating Verifone personnel:

Verifone continues to receive reports that scammers are posing as Verifone Help Desk agents and asking customers to “test” their payment terminals with phone cards.

How it works:

Merchants receive a phone call from someone posing as a Verifone Help Desk associate stating that they need to test the payment terminal with a phone card. The fraudster asks the cashier to authorize several phone cards by providing the Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) located on the card for verification. The merchant is left responsible for any expenses associated with purchases that are then made with the stolen cards/PINs.

It is important that you know that the Verifone Help Desk:

• Never requests PIN information over the telephone.
• Never insists that merchants “authorize” a phone card

Help protect your organization by following these simple steps:

• Be suspicious of “urgent” communications asking you to confirm or provide personal or financial information over the phone (or email).

• Always verify unsolicited callers. If a caller asks you to disclose information, make payments, process transactions or make changes to systems or terminals, be sure to:
  • Ask the caller to identify the company they represent and details of their office number.

  • Use the internet, verify the number and other information they provide.

  • Talk to your supervisor/Head office, payment provider or terminal manufacturer before you proceed.

Editor's Note:

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