A warning has been issued locally about a telephone credit card scam currently doing the rounds in the United Kingdom.

The Office of Fair Trading says it's not widespread in the Isle of Man yet, but a few people have made calls, seeking advice.

Someone rings up claiming to be from the Security and Fraud Department of Visa or Mastercard, and says they are checking unusual purchases on a card.

Edward Oldham reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

The caller already has your address and card number, which they ask you to confirm.

The crucial part is they ask you for the security number on the back of your card, to prove you are in possession of it.

This is actually the only detail they don't have and the one they need to be able to defraud you.

The Office of Fair Trading says the usual advice applies in this situation.

Don't give out any sensitive information over the phone, especially details like this.

It says a bank would never ask you for anything to do with your account or credit card as it already has this information.