probably Fraudulent visa app for iphone and blackberry

[vish1]

A couple of days back, I was in a town like 25 miles off my hometown in the evening and thought of grabbing some dinner. Just clicked into me to see if there is a some restaurant offering some offers with my visa signature card. Went to the iphone app store searched for visa and found an app that says find offers on your visa card.

I installed the app and tried to search for something and the app said it needs to validate if my card is eligible for discounts and need my card number. Though it was stupid, but I still gave it my card number (I thought they probably need to figure wat kind of card I have).

It was not that bad upto this, but after I gave it my card number it needs my card expiry date and cvv number and my home address. This was a sure fire indicator that this app is just phishing/fraud. There is no way any one can need your card expiry / address / cvv for any reason except shopping.

Posting it so that no one gets stuck into this.

Should I be reporting this? To whom?

[kc12286]

I would say it definitely sounds like phising/spam and I would report it to your credit card company/ Was it a paid app? And make sure you don't see any strange charges.

[vish1]

It's not a paid app and I have not seen any charges on my card. They probably need more than just the card number to do anything.

[kc12286]

That still doesn't sound right. What kind offers were you looking for?  I know Visa has an app in the App store. 

[vish1]

The app looks all authentic. Full name "Visa Mobile Application". I was only trying to see if I can find some good offer for any italian restaurant around milford, MA

The FAQs seem to take me to visa site. Everything looks good. I searched on visa website and this is wat i found at "http://usa.visa.com/personal/using_visa/visa-mobile/faq.html":

For the Offers service, you must provide the same information that the Locator service requires as well as the following:

• 16-digit Visa card number
• Visa card expiration date and security code
• First and last name
• Billing address
• Email address

I am totally confused about why in this world will anyone want anything more than your card number (to determine type of card) to get you offers.

[kc12286]

Alright, than ignore what I said. That's the official app that I was referring to. You should be fine than.

As for why they need the info, it may be an increased security feature. Like when you're ordering online you have to put in your card number , security code, exp date, etc. I think to verify that you're the actual card holder and say not a spammer who got access to a card number.

If it still makes you uncomfortable, I wouldn't use it. Seems the comments section says other people have had trouble as well getting offers.

[vish1]

I know what you mean. The key thing here is, AFAIK there is no way to validate your card expiry/cvv without running a test charge. Card number is easy to verify as valid and also easy to verify what series it is using the directory server.

I am not too scared at this point to worry about I having put my card number into it (as I found the faq on visa website) but for sure not comfortable enough to put a visa sig card number with all details there coz I can't figure a single reason for them to collect all this super sensitive info.

In anycase, thanks. With the help of your feedback, I am decently sure it may not be a fraud app.