What is vishing? Definition, protection from, and prevention

What is vishing?

Vishing exploits the human trust factor. Attackers often pretend to be bank representatives, claim a problem with your bank account, or invent a legal issue that needs immediate attention. To make the ruse more convincing, they can spoof caller IDs to make it seem like the call is coming from a trusted source.

These attacks can target both individuals and organizations. Once attackers get their hands on valuable information, they can use it for identity theft, financial fraud, or accessing accounts without permission.

How does vishing work?

Vishing attacks usually begin with the scammer gathering information about their target. They might scour social media profiles, check for data breaches, or even resort to dumpster diving to find discarded documents containing personal information. This information could include names, phone numbers, or financial details — anything to help them craft a convincing story.

When the scammer makes the call, they often use caller ID spoofing to disguise their number and make it look like the call is coming from a trusted source. It might be a real human being at the other end of the line, or you might receive a voicemail asking you to call back.

During the call, the scammer will likely create a sense of urgency, claiming a critical issue — like a security breach with your account — requires immediate action. This tactic is meant to scare you into acting quickly and without thinking. However, in reality, you’ll be sending your details straight to a hacker.

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology, vishing has become even more advanced. Scammers can now mimic the voice of someone you know, like your boss or a family member, and make it seem like they’re asking for help. These techniques are especially difficult to recognize.

What is the difference between vishing and phishing?

The difference between phishing and vishing attacks lies in their approach. In a vishing attack, scammers use voice phishing to get information such as bank account numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, and anything else they could use in future attacks or to steal your identity.

However, while phishing uses different platforms, such as emails or spoofed URLs, vishing scams only use phone calls and Voice over IP (VoIP) technology platforms, like Skype.

What is the difference between vishing and smishing?

Just like with phishing, the difference between vishing and smishing lies in the way the scam reaches you — by phone call or text. In vishing attacks, scammers use phone calls or VoIP technology to trick victims into giving up sensitive information directly over the phone.

Smishing, on the other hand, is SMS phishing. In these attacks, scammers send fraudulent text messages to victims. Like vishing, these text messages usually claim to be from a legitimate source and try to create a sense of urgency. These messages may include links to fake websites or ask you to call a number where attackers are already waiting to collect your personal information.

10 common vishing scams

Vishing scams come in many forms and have different pretexts that vishers might use to lure their victims. Below are some of the most common vishing scams you should be aware of.

1. Credit card fraud

In credit card fraud, attackers may pretend to be representatives from your credit card company, claiming suspicious activity on your account. They might ask you to verify your card details or login information to “protect” your account. In reality, they are just trying to steal your data to commit fraud.

2. Insurance call scams

Scammers might pretend to be calling from insurance companies, offering you fake but very tempting deals on car or health insurance deals. They might even pose as your current provider calling you to extend your coverage. They’ll ask for your personal or payment details right away to “finalize” the deal.

3. Telemarketing fraud

Telemarketing scammers will pretend to be calling from a legitimate company you’re already a client of or a company that offers deals you can’t resist. For example, you might be offered a free vacation or an all-expenses-paid trip.

However, scammers will always ask for your details or money in exchange for whatever they’re offering. Be prepared to hear phrases such as, “You’ll only be able to claim your offer if you pay the handling fees.”

4. Government fraud

In government fraud vishing attack, scammers will pretend to be from a government agency like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Social Security Administration (SSA). They play on fear, telling you that you owe them tax money and must pay them back immediately. Otherwise, you’ll be fined — or worse.

They might use other pretexts and ask you to confirm your Social Security number to continue receiving the medical care or social benefits you are entitled to. Of course, all these stories are there to trick you into paying money or sharing your Social Security number.

5. Tech support fraud

In tech support fraud, scammers will tell you that they were notified that your device needs to be updated or that they have found vulnerabilities that need to be fixed immediately. To resolve these issues, they will require remote access. However, if you agree, the scammers will have complete control of your device and will be able to steal your data or install malware. Less-clever scammers might pretend to be running diagnostic tests and will ask for your sensitive details to “complete them.” They might also ask you to pay once they repair your device, which wasn’t broken in the first place.

Vishers might also try to turn this attack the other way around and make you call them. They can do so by creating malicious ads and pop-ups similar to your antivirus alerts. These pop-ups will notify you of a system breach and that you need to call a specific number to fix it. When you call the scammers, they will try to lure more information out of you and make you pay for their service.

6. Bank or other financial institution fraud

In financial institution fraud, the scammers might pretend to be calling from your bank to alert you to suspicious activity on your account and ask for your login details to “resolve” the issue. In reality, they’re just trying to access your financial accounts.

If you fall victim to this scam, you must act quickly and report the incident to your bank as soon as possible to secure your accounts. Some banks refund scammed money, but policies may differ depending on your bank.

7. Relationship fraud

Relationship scams often target older adults. A typical scenario is a call from your child or grandchild, who is allegedly in trouble and needs your help. They might try to convince you that they were in an accident and that they are in a hospital, in jail, or stuck abroad. The only way they can get home is if you transfer them a certain amount of money. To make the story more convincing, they can also give you the number of their doctor or a lawyer, who “will provide you with more details.”

With the development of voice cloning AI, these scams have become even more popular. Criminals can now simply imitate the voices of your loved ones, making the call sound even more convincing.

Additionally, vishing can happen with online dating scams, where scammers pretend to be someone you’ve met on a dating app or website. They eventually ask for money or personal information after building trust and forming an emotional connection.

8. Job offer or employment fraud

In job offer scams, scammers pose as employers offering attractive positions. Victims are asked to provide personal information, such as their Social Security number or bank details, for “payroll setup.” Sometimes, they may even request an upfront payment for training or equipment, which, of course, is never delivered.

9. Service provider fraud

In service provider scams, vishers pretend to represent a service provider, such as your internet or phone company. They may claim an issue with your account needs to be resolved urgently. Victims are pressured to provide account login information or payment details to “fix” the problem.

10. Prize or lottery fraud

In prize or lottery scams, vishers tell victims they’ve won a prize or lottery — despite never entering. They’ll ask for personal details or payment of a “processing fee” to claim the winnings. Once the payment is made or the details are shared, the scammer disappears, and the prize never arrives.

How to recognize vishing attacks

Recognizing vishing attacks can help you protect your personal information and avoid falling victim to scams. Here are some signs you should look out for:

• Unknown caller ID. Scammers often spoof caller IDs to make it appear as though they’re calling from a trusted source. So always be cautious if the number looks unfamiliar or suspicious.
• Urgent requests. Vishing callers often create a sense of urgency, saying you need to act quickly to avoid problems or protect your account. This pressure can make you share information without thinking. Always pause and think before you act.
• Unsolicited calls. If you receive a call from someone you weren’t expecting, be cautious. If you think the call you’ve received might be a vishing attempt, find the number of the institution that called you and reach out to them directly. For example, if they pretend to be from your bank, find your bank’s number online and double-check the information you were given.
• Requests for personal details. If you receive a call from someone asking for personal information, it’s a red flag. Legitimate companies or your bank will never ask for sensitive information over the phone or will provide more secure ways to communicate with them.
• Generic greetings. Scammers often use generic greetings like “Hello” instead of your name. This can be a sign that they are not real representatives of the organization. However, some scammers may already know your name, so always stay cautious, regardless of how they address you.
• Too-good-to-be-true offers. If the caller makes you an offer that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Free vacations are rare. They’re just tricks to get your personal information or money.

To learn more, check out our short video on vishing below.

What to do if you have already fallen victim to a vishing attack

If you realize that you have fallen for a vishing attack, it’s necessary to act quickly:

1. While it’s natural to feel anxious, try to stay calm and focused to take the right steps.
2. If you’re still on the line, hang up immediately.
3. Contact your bank or other organization involved to report the incident. It can help protect your accounts and investigate the situation.
4. If you’ve shared any login credentials, change your passwords right away. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
5. Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions and report any suspicious activity immediately.
6. Educate yourself about common vishing tactics to protect yourself against future scams.

How to protect yourself from vishing

Like phishing, preventing vishing requires common sense, caution, and staying aware of current threats.

Don’t take anonymous calls

Be cautious with calls from unknown numbers. If you receive an anonymous call, don’t answer it. Block unwanted calls to reduce the risk of being targeted again. Remember, if it’s an emergency or someone has an important message, they will find other ways to contact you.

Limit the information you share on social media

Your profiles can provide lots of valuable information that scammers can use to make their stories more convincing. So be mindful of what you post online. Make your social media accounts more secure by adjusting your privacy settings, limiting who can see your posts, and avoiding sharing personal details publicly. Keeping yourself informed about common social media privacy issues can also help you protect your information from being exploited.

Protect your accounts with multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all your accounts. You’ll need to provide your password and a second form of verification, like a code sent to your phone, every time you log in. Having MFA on makes it much harder for scammers to access your information, even if they somehow get hold of your password.

Ask for proof of identity

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from a company or agency, don’t hesitate to ask for proof of their identity. Legitimate representatives will understand your request and provide the necessary evidence.

Join the national “Do Not Call” registry

If you’re from the US, you can also enter your number in the national “Do Not Call” registry. It allows you to opt out of receiving unsolicited sales calls, which reduces unwanted telemarketing calls. Simply visit the registry’s official website to add your number. It may take up to 31 days for the calls to stop. Remember that while this registry will limit nuisance calls, it won’t stop them completely.

Never share sensitive data over the phone

Don’t share personal details, such as a Social Security number, bank details, or passwords, over the phone, especially with unexpected callers. Remember, if the company truly needs this information, it will provide you with secure ways to obtain it, for example, through its official website or secure online portals.

Learn about security awareness

Educate yourself and others about vishing tactics through security awareness training. Understanding prevention strategies can help you recognize and avoid these scams. Learning about the different types of phishing is also a good idea.

Additionally, consider using advanced security tools like Threat Protection Pro™. While it may not help with vishing directly, Threat Protection Pro™ can protect you from visiting malicious websites and other potential threats.