Cybercriminals constantly find new ways to deceive people, and vishing—or voice phishing—is one of their most effective tactics. Vishing involves using phone calls or voice messages to trick victims into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords, financial details, or personal data. At Arsen, we provide next-generation awareness training to help employees recognize and defend against these types of attacks.
In this article, we’ll explore common vishing examples to help you understand how they operate and how you can protect yourself.
What is Vishing?
Vishing is a form of phishing that occurs over the phone. Attackers impersonate trusted entities, such as banks, government agencies, or tech support, to manipulate individuals into providing private information. They often create a sense of urgency or fear, convincing the victim that immediate action is necessary.
Understanding the methods used in vishing attacks is crucial for identifying and preventing them. Let’s look at some typical vishing examples.
Examples of Vishing Attacks
1. Bank Fraud Calls
In this common vishing scenario, a scammer impersonates a bank representative and calls the victim to inform them of "suspicious activity" on their account. They may claim that unauthorized transactions have occurred and that they need to verify the victim’s personal and banking details to secure the account.
How it works:
The scammer might ask for the victim's account number, Social Security number, PIN, or online banking login credentials. To create a sense of urgency, they may warn that failure to act immediately could result in the freezing of the account or further fraudulent activity.
How to detect it:
Banks will never ask for sensitive information like PINs or passwords over the phone. Always hang up and contact your bank using the official number provided on their website or your bank statements.
2. Tech Support Scams
In a tech support vishing attack, the scammer poses as a representative from a well-known technology company (e.g., Microsoft, Apple). They call the victim, claiming that their computer has been infected with malware or that unusual activity has been detected.
How it works:
The attacker may request remote access to the victim’s computer to "resolve the issue." Once access is granted, they can install malware, steal data, or demand payment for their "services." Sometimes, they will ask for credit card information to charge for the supposed tech support.
How to detect it:
Legitimate tech companies do not call customers unsolicited to report computer problems. Be wary of anyone requesting remote access to your device or payment for unrequested services.
3. Government Agency Impersonation
Scammers often impersonate government agencies, such as the IRS or Social Security Administration, to intimidate their targets. The caller may claim that there are legal issues, unpaid taxes, or problems with benefits that need immediate resolution.
How it works:
The attacker uses fear tactics, threatening legal action, arrest, or suspension of benefits unless the victim provides personal information or makes an immediate payment. They may request Social Security numbers, credit card details, or bank account information.
How to detect it:
Government agencies typically communicate through official mail, not unsolicited phone calls. They will never demand sensitive information or payment over the phone. If you receive such a call, hang up and contact the agency directly using verified contact details.
4. Voicemail Phishing (Voicemail Vishing)
In this method, the attacker leaves a voicemail pretending to be from a legitimate organization, such as a bank, government agency, or business. The message often contains a callback number and an urgent request for information.
How it works:
The voicemail might state something like, "Your account has been compromised. Call us back immediately to verify your information." When the victim returns the call, they are connected with a scammer who attempts to extract sensitive details.
How to detect it:
Be cautious of voicemails asking for personal information. Always verify the authenticity of the caller by contacting the organization directly using official contact information.
How to Protect Yourself from Vishing
- Verify the Caller: If you receive an unexpected call requesting sensitive information, hang up and contact the organization directly using a verified phone number.
- Do Not Share Personal Information: Never provide personal or financial information over the phone unless you have initiated the call and are certain of the recipient’s legitimacy.
- Use Call Blocking: Utilize call-blocking features or apps to reduce spam and scam calls.
At Arsen, we emphasize the importance of employee awareness training to recognize vishing and other social engineering attacks. By understanding these vishing examples, you can better protect yourself and your organization from falling victim to such scams.