Interesting, thanks.
What I do'nt understand is that the card numbers referred to are often given when making a purchase either over telephone or online.
How do the fraudster get paid? They must have a sellers account with the card company in order that the money is transferred to them.
So how come Visa and Mastercard issue fraudsters accounts?
Or is it just me being thick?

This website http://urbanlegends.about.com

is an excellent refernce point for the many emails we all get about scams. Many of these are scams in themselves, getting us to send repeated eamils or txts about non-existent scams.
However, they also tell you when one is genuine. I have had the above several times over a couple of years, and it genuine (ish) here's the report:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl..._fraud.htm

Stay vigilant, better safe then skint.. but check before forwarding or your txt bill may hurt!

IF you all give me all your money I'll look after it for you when I get to the Cayman Islands !!!

I've had a similar call recently but realised it was a scam and said I had to go to the loo urgently.

1471 didn't get the callers number..

We will have to go back to cash I guess, or start trading with fur pelts and salt....

Like you, Arthur, I'll never make a crook. I can't figure out how they get goods delivered and then don't simply get picked up. Don't explain anyone... I don't really want to know. Some things are best left unsaid!

Here's another great hoaxbusters site: http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

Their conclusion is the story is probably hearsay that has been circulating for years, but it is a possible scenario.

Ultimately NOBODY from a bank or credit card firm will EVER ask you to divulge card numbers, PINs or security codes over the phone.