Be advised of a recent merchant scam where individuals claim to be making a call for the hearing impaired. At this time we know restaurants, bakeries and flower shops have been contacted.
The caller indicates a customer wants to place a large order, then gives credit card information with an expiration date requesting a large amount, in excess of actual sale amount, be authorized to cover said order. The caller requests any unused monry to be sent through Western Union, and then provides a name, address, city, state, zip along with an account number.
We also understand e-mails and random calls of a similar nature have been forthcoming. These individuals are using "good" cardholder numbers believed to be fraudulently obtained.
Reminder: If a merchant cannot prove a card is physically present at the point of sale and the authorized signer cardholder is not physically present at time of sale to sign the receipt, the merchant is 100 percent at risk for loss from dispute and chargeback even if an authorization has been obtained.
