Locked Visa Accounts

If you get an email telling you that your credit card is locked and that you need to click on the link to unlock it, treat it as a scam. It’s an example of email scams where they start with a story that sounds urgent (your credit card is locked), and that you need to click on the link right now (before you have time to think or research the email).

What usually happens is the link they give you is fake. It might look like a real company’s link, but if you hover your mouse pointer over the link you’ll be able to see where it really points to. And usually it’s a scammer’s web site in places like China or Russia.

Then when you get to that page, it’s been designed to look just like a real company’s site, and it prompts you to enter all your personal details including passwords. This information goes straight to the scammer who set up the fake site. He then sells it on a black market. Then someone buys your account details and uses it to commit fraud. It’s a large complex network that steals billions of dollars a year.

Below is an email claiming to be from Visa. When you receive emails like this, copy and paste it into Google, then Google will show you web sites like FraudO telling you if they’re scams.

Your Visa card is temporarily locked and the last transaction is on hold. Please understand we work to ensure your account safety. To restore your card and regain access you are required to register your Visa card in the Verified by Visa program, its a free, simple-to-use service that confirms your identity with an extra password when you make an online transaction.

It’s easy and only takes a few moments to activate your card. You can do it by clicking on the link below that will take you to Visa secure website.

[link removed – it looks like a Visa web site]

This is an outbound message only. Please do not reply to this email. If you have any questions, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), or contact us. You will receive a response within 2 business days.

Thank you for using Visa Cards.

If in doubt just call your credit card company on the phone. They’ll reply immediately, not in 2 days, and you can be sure you’re speaking to a legitimate company.

Thanks to Erik for sending this one in. If you find other scams or fraud attempts you can send them in using our contact form.

8 thoughts on “Locked Visa Accounts”

  1. Yeah I just got the same email. Total fraud. You’d have to be a complete and total moron to fall for it.

  2. Lots of people fall for these scams. The best thing to do is talk to newbies about the scams, make them more aware.

  3. Dear Visa Cardholder,

    Your Visa card is temporarily locked. Please understand that we work to ensure your account safety. To restore your card and regain access you are required to register your Visa card in the Verified by Visa program, its a free, simple-to-use service that confirms your identity with an extra password when you make an online transaction.

    It’s easy and only takes a few moments to activate your card. You can do it by clicking on the link below that will take you to Visa secure website.

    [link removed]

    This is an outbound message only. Please do not reply to this email. If you have any questions, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), or contact us. You will receive a response within 2 business days.

    Thank you for using Visa Cards.
    2001-2009 Visa. All Rights Reserved.

  4. I just got the same message today..

    I knew right away it was a scam because I don’t even have a VISA card, I use mastercard 😉

    You actually don’t have to be a complete moron to fall for it. These kinds of scams prey on people that don’t have high computer literacy skills and are not aware of these kinds of scams. They don’t know what to watch out for.

    Definitely what gave it away though was the “2 business days” thing.. you should be able to get an immediate response from VISA 24/7..

    Also the “Thank you for using Visa Cards” at the end.. the word “Cards” seemed a bit out of place.. like it was someone who’s second language was English wrote it.. “Thanks for using Visa” seems a bit more appropriate..

  5. Your Visa card is temporarily locked. Please understand that we work to ensure your account safety. To restore your card and regain access you are required to register your Visa card in the Verified by Visa program, its a free, simple-to-use service that confirms your identity with an extra password when you make an online transaction.

    It’s easy and only takes a few moments to activate your card. You can do it by clicking on the link below that will take you to Visa secure website.

    [link removed]

    If you have any questions, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), or contact us.

    Thank you for using Visa.

    © 1996-2011 Visa. All Rights Reserved.

    Total Fake

  6. I received the same thing today, but interestingly enough, my actual name was in it (often, these scam things just say “Dear Cardholder” or something.) Obbviously, if you’re on any publicly available social/business networking site, your name is easy to find… Careful what you put out there!
    Scum-buckets!

  7. Haven’t heard of this before:
    I just received a text message that said, “Account locked! Due to suspicious activity on our networks you visa debit card has been temporarily locked. To unlock please call the security department at: 925-775-1454.” So I called the number and a recording said, “I can see from the number you are calling from that your visa debit card has been locked. Please enter your card number after the tone.” OKAY…LIKE I’M STUPID!!! I called the bank and everything is fine. Don’t fall for these scammers! Oh, but I texted them back, “F*** OFF! I didn’t fall for your scam!”

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