Credit Union members are asked to please be aware - a new scam is being used to harvest credit card data.

The victim receives a phone call from someone claiming to be a courier asking if they will be home to receive a package delivery that requires a signature. The courier arrives with a beautiful basket of flowers and wine. When the recipient inquires about the delivery (having no known occasion for the gift) the courier responds that a note will follow separately.

The courier explains that because the gift contains alcohol, there is a $3.50 ``delivery/verification charge``, providing proof that the courier actually delivered the package to an adult of legal drinking age, and did not just leave it on the doorstep where it could be stolen or taken by anyone, especially a minor.

If the victim offers to pay cash, the courier explains that payment is to be by credit or debit card only so that everything is properly accounted for and there is a legal record of the transaction. They also rationalize that couriers no longer carry cash due to robberies.

The victim is asked to swipe their card on a small mobile card machine with a small screen and keypad where the victim can enter the card’s PIN and security number. A receipt is printed out to appear as if everything is in order.

Substantial debit and credit changes are then made to the victim’s card at various ATM machines.

The “mobile credit card machine”, which the courier carries, captures all the information necessary to create a “dummy” card with all card details after being swiped and details entered.

Source: Capsules, Credit Union Central of Manitoba, November 6, 2014