Phone Scams

Although the headlines often highlight online fraud, phone fraud targets millions of people every day. Like email phishing, phone scams can yield big payouts. So before you answer that call…

1. Never give out debit or credit card numbers unless you initiated the call with a company you know.
2. Ask for it in writing before agreeing to anything.
3. If you suspect that “something’s not right,” hang up.
4. Don’t provide information the caller should know.
5. Avoid high-pressure tactics.

Vishing (voice phishing) is the voice counterpart to email phishing scams. Also called VoIP (voice over internet protocol) vishing, this type of scam uses email to direct the user to a website to make a call. The call triggers a voice response system that asks for a credit card number or other personal information. The initial bait can also take the form of a voice recording with instructions to call an 800 number or other area code in or outside the U.S.

Since we’re all used to entering card numbers over the phone, vishing can be very effective. Hackers use VoIP vishing because it allows them to spoof caller IDs and take down the entire operation as quickly as they set it up.

Smishing (SMS phishing) is the mobile phone counterpart to phishing. Instead of directing the user to a website via email, smishing sends a text to the user’s cellphone or other mobile device with a ploy to click on a link. Clicking the link downloads a virus with malicious code to the device. If you’re using a mobile banking app, be extra vigilant about this tactic.

Protect Yourself