New credit card phishing scam hits Canada

A new twist oncredit card phishing scams has emerged in Canada thattargetspeopleearly in the morning when they aresleepy and potentially vulnerable, according to the federal government's Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

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Daniel Williams, a senior call-takerfromthe anti-fraud centre, says the scam begins with a phone callbetween 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

The callerclaims to be from the victims' bank and says a credit card was used without authorization the previous evening.

Williams says because of the early hour, the victim will often volunteer information.

"The consumer lets them know who they bank with, then the suspects will read out the first few digits of the credit card which is standard for that bank, that credit card," he said.

Williams says the scammersthen ask the victim for the next eight digits to confirm theiridentity.

Once the scammershave the complete card number, theyimmediately use the information to make purchases on the account.

Williams says the phishing scam is quitesuccessful, and that anyone who has been victimized should contact the police.