The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued a public service announcement on October 7, 2014 detailing numerous complaints it has received regarding fraudulent websites posing as MoneyPak customer support. MoneyPak is a non-reloadable, prepaid product offered by Green Dot.
Complaints indicate victims locate the websites via internet search engines. Interaction between the victims and the fraudulent customer support generally occurs via telephone. MoneyPak’s own official website has a warning on its homepage informing customers that:
WARNING: MoneyPak offers only ONE Toll Free Number to apply your money. It is listed on the back of your MoneyPak. All other phone numbers are not ours and are fraudulent.
The IC3 has noticed different variations of this scam, according to the FBI.
- The victim is seeking a refund from an already purchased MoneyPak card and contacts the information listed on the website. A customer service “representative” will ask the caller to provide the identification number of the prepaid card. Example – The victim loaded funds onto a MoneyPak card and now wishes to receive a refund of those funds off of the prepaid card. The representative will ask for the prepaid card number and a credit card or checking account number to which the refund can be processed. At this point, the scammer has access to the funds on the prepaid card and the victim’s personal account.
- Victim seeks support in connection with loss from other possible scams. The representative will instruct the caller to re-load the card with additional funds equal to the previously lost amount. Example – The victim lost $500 from their MoneyPak card to a separate scam and is seeking a refund to the card. The representative will instruct the victim to load an additional $500 to the card. The representative states “re-loading is the only way to process the refund”, and the card will be refunded the full $1,000. Should the victim refuse to re-load the card, the representative will promptly disconnect the call.
CONSUMER PROTECTION TIPS
• Never give your MoneyPak number to someone you don’t know.
• Never give receipt information about your MoneyPak purchase to another party.
• Use your MoneyPak only to reload your prepaid cards or accounts you control.
• Refuse any offer that asks you to buy a MoneyPak and share the number or receipt information by email or phone.
• To use your MoneyPak with PayPal or eBay or other online merchants, transfer the money to your PayPal account before you pay the merchant. Don’t email your MoneyPak number directly to any merchant.
• Unless it’s an approved MoneyPak partner, don’t use MoneyPak for any offer that requires you to pay before you get the item.
• MoneyPak does NOT require personal information such as date of birth or social security number to reload a card, add money to PayPal or make payments.
• Only use the website and phone number listed on the back of the MoneyPak prepaid cards.
• Only email MoneyPak customer support via the website’s online portal.
• MoneyPak’s secure website begins with “https://” such as https://www.moneypak.com/
MORE INFO: Go to http://www.ic3.gov for more information or to file a report of such a scam with the FBI, Cyber Division.
Green Dot is a leading prepaid financial services company providing simple, low-cost and convenient money management solutions to a broad base of U.S. consumers. Green Dot also owns and operates the Green Dot Network, the nation’s leading prepaid card reload network. Green Dot products are available online and at approximately 55,000 retail stores, including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS/pharmacy, Rite Aid, 7-Eleven, Kroger, Kmart, Meijer, and Radio Shack. Green Dot is headquartered in the greater Los Angeles area.
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