"Card member services" scam calls: how the fake rate-reduction robocall works
Quick answer
A robocall from "card member services" or "cardholder services" that offers to lower your card's interest rate is almost always a scam. The FTC's advice is to hang up. Real card issuers don't cold-call to charge a fee for a lower rate. Don't press 1. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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How it works
The call is a recording that says you qualify for a lower credit card interest rate and tells you to press 1 to talk to a representative. The caller often implies they work for your bank or card issuer. They don't.
In a 2015 case, the FTC and the Florida Attorney General went to court to stop an Orlando operation whose robocalls claimed to come from card member services and charged up to $4,999 up front for interest-rate reduction programs that weren't delivered. In 2012 the FTC went after five companies behind millions of prerecorded calls using the same press-1 pitch.
Once you're on the line, the person asks for your card number, Social Security number or an upfront fee.
Red flags
- A recorded call about lowering your interest rate that you didn't ask for
- A "press 1" prompt or a vague name like "card member services"
- A caller who won't say which bank they work for
- A fee up front, or a request for your card or Social Security number
- Pressure that the offer ends today
Example message
This is card member services with an important message about lowering the interest rate on your credit card. Press 1 now to speak with a representative.
What to do
- 1
Don't click, reply or call back
Hang up. Don't press 1 and don't press any key to be removed from a list, since that confirms your number works. If you want to know about your rate, call your card issuer using the number on the back of your card.
- 2
If you clicked or typed in details, act on those accounts
If you gave a card number, call the card issuer and ask them to block the card. If you gave a Social Security number, consider a credit freeze with the three credit bureaus.
- 3
If you paid or shared card details, call your card issuer
Use the number on the back of your card, not one from the message. Say it was fraud and ask them to block the card and reverse the charge.
- 4
Delete it and report it
Report the message at the official channels below, then delete it. Reports help investigators spot patterns.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Robocallers dial in bulk, but lists of working numbers are bought and sold. Scammers often pick targets using names, phone numbers and emails pulled from people-search sites and old breaches. Serus finds the data brokers that list you and removes you from them, and it alerts you when your email shows up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you. Our guide to what to do after a data breach covers the steps if your details leaked.
Official alerts
Frequently asked
Is card member services a real company?
The name is used by robocallers. The FTC has taken action against operations that used it to sell interest-rate reduction programs that weren't delivered.
Should I press 1 to be removed?
No. Hang up. Pressing a key can mark your number as active.
Can my card issuer lower my rate?
You can ask your issuer yourself, using the number on your card. You don't need to pay a third party.
Will the Do Not Call Registry stop these?
Scammers ignore it, but registering still cuts calls from legitimate sellers and makes illegal calls easier to report.
Sources
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