Vishing

What does it mean

Vishing is a form of fraud that combines voice communication and social engineering to obtain sensitive data from the victim. The name is derived from the English term "voice phishing," which combines the words "voice" and "phishing" (fraudulent practices aimed at extracting information). Unlike regular phishing, which is often carried out via email or messages, vishing occurs through phone calls.

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How does vishing work?

The goal of the visher (the person conducting the scam) is to create an atmosphere of trust or urgency to convince the victim that they need to quickly provide personal information, such as:

1. Bank account or credit card numbers

2. PIN codes and passwords

3. Sensitive personal information (such as a social security number)

Fraudsters often use caller ID spoofing techniques to make it appear that the call is coming from trusted institutions, such as banks, insurance companies, or even the police. These calls can have various scenarios, such as:

• A fake bank employee informing about "suspicious activities on the account" and requesting verification of sensitive information.
• A fraudulent technical support worker claiming that your computer or mobile account is compromised and needs a password to "fix it."
• Calls from "state institutions," where the fraudster talks about unpaid taxes or other arrears that need to be paid immediately.

How to protect yourself from vishing?

Even though these calls can be convincing, there are several ways to protect yourself from vishing:

Be wary of unexpected calls – If someone calls claiming to be a bank employee and asks for sensitive information, it is advisable to end the call and call the bank directly using the official contact number.

Never disclose personal information over the phone – Reputable organizations never ask for your passwords, PIN codes, or other confidential information over the phone.

Verify the caller – If something seems off, ask for the caller's name and department. You can then verify the information by calling the official number of the organization.

Watch out for pressure tactics – Vishers often use urgency tactics to stress you out and make you act quickly. If you feel pressured, delay the call and verify the situation.

What to do if you become a victim of vishing?

If you have already shared your information with a fraudster, immediately take the following steps:

1. Contact your bank or other relevant institutions – Report what happened and request to block the account or card if necessary.

2. Change passwords and PIN codes – If you have shared any of these details, change them immediately.

3. Report the fraud – Report the incident to the police or other relevant authorities who can help you deal with any consequences.

4. Educate yourself about scams – Continuous education and vigilance are the best defenses against scams like vishing.

Vishing is one of the most insidious forms of fraud that targets people's trust and inattentiveness. With the increasing number of digital threats, it is important to be cautious and aware that sensitive information needs to be protected. Thorough vigilance and awareness of these tactics are key to avoiding becoming a victim.