October 07, 2014
Alert Number
I-100714-PSA
FRAUDULENT WEBSITES POSING AS GREEN DOT
MONEYPAK CUSTOMER SUPPORT
The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received numerous
complaints reporting fraudulent websites posing as MoneyPak customer
support. MoneyPak is a non-reloadable, prepaid product offered by Green Dot.
Complaints indicate victims locate the websites via internet search engines.
Interaction between the victims and the fraudulent customer support generally
occurs via telephone. The IC3 has noticed different variations of this scam.
1. The victim is seeking a refund from an already purchased MoneyPak
card and contacts the information listed on the website. A customer
service “representative” will ask the caller to provide the identification
number of the prepaid card.
Example – The victim loaded funds onto a MoneyPak card and now
wishes to receive a refund of those funds off of the prepaid card.
The representative will ask for the prepaid card number and a
credit card or checking account number to which the refund can
be processed. At this point, the scammer has access to the funds
on the prepaid card and the victim’s personal account.
2. Victim seeks support in connection with loss from other possible scams.
The representative will instruct the caller to re-load the card with
additional funds equal to the previously lost amount.
Example – The victim lost $500 from their MoneyPak card to a
separate scam and is seeking a refund to the card. The
representative will instruct the victim to load an additional $500 to
the card. The representative states “re-loading is the only way to
process the refund”, and the card will be refunded the full $1,000.
Should the victim refuse to re-load the card, the representative
will promptly disconnect the call.
In most complaints, victims are given a tracking or confirmation number in
connection with their call and report to be placed “on hold” for a length of time
while the representative claims to be researching the problem regarding the
card in question. In all complaints, any funds available on the card are drained
while the victim is on hold or immediately after the call is disconnected.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Consumers should only use the website and phone number listed on the back
of the MoneyPak prepaid cards. MoneyPak customer support can only be
accessed by email request via the website’s online portal. The phone number
listed on the back of MoneyPak cards is for adding funds to an existing prepaid
card. Green Dot customer service publicizes a customer service number;
however, this number will not provide assistance with MoneyPak.
Currently identified fraudulent websites are not secured websites (http).The
MoneyPak customer support website is a secured website (https) and does not
require personal (date of birth, social security number) to reload a card, add
money to PayPal or make payments to authorized partners. Prepaid card
information is needed to reload a prepaid card on the valid MoneyPak website.
Visit https://www.moneypak.com/ for more information.
FILING A COMPLAINT
Individuals who believe they be a victim of a “MoneyPak Support” scam can
file with the IC3 at http://www.ic3.gov. Please be as descriptive as possible,
including prepaid card/account numbers affected and contact information of
support “representatives”.
Because scams and fraudulent websites appear very quickly, individuals are
encouraged to report possible internet scams and fraudulent websites by filing
a complaint with the IC3 at http://www.ic3.gov.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM MONEYPAK.
1
TIPS ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FRAUD:
2
1. Never give your MoneyPak number to someone you don’t know.
2. Never give receipt information about your MoneyPak purchase to
another party.
3. Use your MoneyPak only to reload your prepaid cards or accounts you
control.
4. Refuse any offer that asks you to buy a MoneyPak and share the number
or receipt information by email or phone.
5. To use your MoneyPak with PayPal or eBay or other online merchants,
transfer the money to your PayPal account before you pay the merchant.
Don’t email your MoneyPak number directly to any merchant.
6. Unless it’s an approved MoneyPak partner, don’t use MoneyPak for any
offer that requires you to pay before you get the item.
1.https://www.moneypak.com/↩
2.https://www.moneypak.com/ProtectYourMoney.aspx/↩
