Vishing, short for voice phishing, is a type of scam where attackers use phone calls to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information. Unlike traditional phishing, which usually involves emails, vishing exploits the trust people often place in phone communications. Attackers commonly impersonate banks, government agencies, or tech support to create a sense of urgency and trick victims into providing personal data, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security information.
How Does Vishing Work?
Vishing scams typically involve a caller pretending to be a legitimate organization. They use social engineering tactics, often instilling fear or urgency to push their targets into acting quickly. For instance, a scammer might claim that there’s "suspicious activity" on your bank account, pressuring you to verify your information immediately to avoid account suspension.
These phone scams can also involve pre-recorded messages (robocalls) directing you to call back a fraudulent phone number. The ultimate goal is to gain access to personal or financial information that can be exploited for identity theft or financial fraud.
How to Protect Yourself from Vishing
Here are strategies to safeguard against vishing attacks:
Verify the Caller: Always verify the identity of the caller. If you receive an unexpected call asking for sensitive information, hang up and contact the organization directly using a known, official number.
Do Not Share Personal Information: Legitimate companies will not ask for sensitive information like passwords, PINs, or social security numbers over the phone.
Use Call Blocking: Use call-blocking features or apps to reduce the risk of unwanted and suspicious calls.
Educate Employees: Train your team to recognize and report potential vishing attempts. At Arsen, we provide comprehensive awareness training to help employees identify and respond to these voice-based phishing scams effectively.
