Voice phishing, or "vishing," is a type of phishing attack that occurs over the phone. In a vishing scam, attackers call victims and pretend to be from a legitimate organization, such as a bank, government agency, or tech support company. The goal is to trick the victim into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers.
How This Could Impact Us:
Vishing scams can happen to anyone who receives phone calls, especially those who are not familiar with the tactics used by scammers. Attackers often use caller ID spoofing to make it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate source. They may also use social engineering techniques to create a sense of urgency or fear, prompting the victim to act quickly without thinking. For example, you might receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank, stating that there has been suspicious activity on your account and that you need to verify your identity by providing your account number or password.

Example of a Scam:
A common vishing scam involves a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS. The caller might say that you owe back taxes and that you need to pay immediately to avoid legal action. They may threaten you with arrest or fines if you do not comply. In reality, the IRS will never call you to demand immediate payment or threaten you with legal action. This is a scare tactic used by scammers to trick you into providing your credit card information or making a payment to them.
How to Protect Yourself:
Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from a legitimate organization, be cautious. Do not provide any personal information over the phone unless you are certain of the caller's identity.
Verify the Caller: If the caller claims to be from a specific organization, hang up and call the organization directly using a verified phone number to confirm the call's authenticity.
Do Not Share Personal Information: Never share sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers, over the phone.
Use Call Blocking: Consider using call-blocking services or apps to filter out potential scam calls.
Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about the latest vishing techniques and share this knowledge with friends and family.