NMJournal.com
Consumer Alert

CAREFUL WITH "CREDIT CARD REFUNDS" BY PHONE

Patricia Madrid   by NM Attorney General Patricia Madrid

You pick up the phone and a pleasant caller tells you that you were overcharged on a recent purchase and are owed a refund. What a wonderful surprise! All she needs is your credit card number and your account will be credited. What could be simpler?

The surprise of receiving an unexpected refund would be welcomed by most of us. The problem is that this is a scam aimed at getting your money, not giving you money. If you are owed money, you are likely to be contacted by the merchants involved, not by the credit card company. If you think a call might be legitimate, ask the caller for their name and number and call them back at a later time.

Individuals with caller ID have reported the following names have appeared: Evening Star, ES, Inc. or Crystal Star Inc. The calls are originating from Florida. The Consumer Protection Division of the New Mexico Attorney General's Office is working with its counterpart in Florida to try to find and prosecute these scam artists.

Scams that attempt to obtain access to your credit or steal your identity are extremely varied and creative.

Your best protection is to not give out personal information to any callers.

If you have a question or consumer complaint you may contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's Office in any of the following ways:

  • call toll-free at 800 678-1508;
  • on-line at www.ago.state.nm.us;
  • or write to: P.O. Box 1508 Santa Fe, NM 87504-1508.

Patricia Madrid is the Attorney General of New Mexico.

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