Vishing (voice phishing) is a phishing attack that’s carried out over voice calls. Attackers use deceptive phone calls to trick victims into revealing sensitive information.
Example:
Alan receives a distressing phone call informing him that his daughter has been injured on a school trip and needs urgent medical attention. The caller states that the child has been rushed to the hospital but can’t be admitted until a payment of $200 is made. The caller provides Alan with fake hospital details where the payment should be sent. After Alan sends the money, phone calls to the number that had called him don’t go through and he realizes he has been scammed.
Prevention Tips:
- Be wary of unsolicited requests for payments over the phone.
- Verify the legitimacy of a caller by verifying their contact information.
- Be cautious of urgent requests for money or personal information made over the phone.