What is Vishing Attack and How to Avoid it?

Do you know? Phishing, Smishing and Vishing are different terms. In our previous articles, we have discussed phishing and smishing. Now it’s time to have a brief look at the vishing attack. So today we came up with our common and dangerous topic of the cyberworld.

What are Vishing Scams Means? 

A voice phishing assault known as “vishing” uses voice calls and messages to deceive people into divulging personal information such as bank account numbers and passwords. In order to obtain users’ information, cybercriminals pose as internet service providers, this is known as a “vishing scam”.  

This fraud persuades the target to provide information that the attacker may exploit to make money. This might involve anything from taking someone else’s identity to swiping their credit card. The objectives of this attack, when it targets a business, are similar—to get money—but they are frequently more interested in learning about security precautions for the following assaults.

Different Types of Vishing Attack

Con artists use numerous vishing assaults to target their victims. The following are some of the most typical vishing methods:

1. Robocalls: Scammers utilize technology to contact hundreds of numbers automatically each day, playing prerecorded messages or using AI-powered bots to con you. Three out of every five Indians who lost money due to phone scams blamed robocalls.

This technology is used by con artists to defraud people by leaving an automatically recorded voice message with the use of AI technology. 

2. Spoofed Caller ID: VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) technology is used by scammers to spoof their number on your caller ID and trick you into thinking the call is coming from a different number.

3. Voicemail: This method is used by cybercriminals to accomplish vishing attack with the help of voicemail. 

4. A text message with a number to call: A fake SMS text message with a callback number is a common way that phishing attacks begin.

5. Software Alerts: A warning notice with a fake “tech support” number to contact appears on your PC.

6. Impersonated calls: When a politician or celebrity calls you, their voice is being imitated using deep fake synthetic media technology.

How You Can Identify a Vishing Scams?

There are many signs through which can get to know that it is a vishing scam. Let’s quickly cover those:

1. You get an unexpected call from a person posing as a representative of a reputable business, financial institution, or government organization.
2. Your Social Security number, bank account information, or credit card number are among the sensitive details the caller requests you to confirm.
3. They may suggest that you are in danger or that there is a problem with your account and demand that you take immediate action to fix it.
4. Making rapid cash transfers to obtain a reward or avoid a fine may be necessary to solve the problem. It’s usual for con artists to demand money through Zelle or even large quantities of gift cards. 
5. In other instances, the caller asks you to open a link or download an application that can infect your computer with malware.
6. The caller creates a sense of urgency by requesting that you respond immediately without giving it any thought.
7. If you refuse the caller’s request, the fraudster gets aggressive with you.
8. Threats to revoke your SSN, jail you, or deport you are just a few of the high-pressure techniques used in phishing calls.
9. The caller may not be who they claim to be if they talk with a foreign accent or speak with a poor command of English.
10. The caller ID or phone number looks fake or phoney.

Important Note: Do not provide personal information over the phone or make payments if you spot any of these indicators. Instead, disconnect and call the business or government body directly at a reliable number.

How to Stop Vishing Attack? 

The most crucial step you can take to prevent vishing scams is to maintain your composure and refrain from disclosing personal information. Due to the fact that it halts the onslaught of vishing fraudsters, this tactic works well against them. There are other steps a firm may take to ensure that workers act appropriately to safeguard the company. Vishing scams may be avoided by simply hanging up the phone, but there are other precautions you can take.

1. Keep Your Data Private: Never share your passwords or logins, or your passport or driver’s license details. Your accounts and identities will remain secure as a result.

2. Verify Every Unknown Number: Whenever an unknown caller phones you, use a mobile application to check the number.

3. Two-Factor Authentication: Always enable the 2-step verification feature on each and every account.

4. Let Unknown Calls Go to Voicemail: As an alternative, you may let unknown callers leave voicemails and then return their call. Call the bank directly to see if it called you if it appears like your bank is phoning but you are wary. Being cautious can take a little more time, but it’s better than divulging sensitive personal data.

5. Join the National Do Not Call Registry System: Your phone number may be taken from lists of telemarketers’ calls with this free service. Vishing assaults do not adhere to this list, although erroneous callers are less likely to be genuine because respectable firms should not be phoning.

6. Suspicious Links: Never click on any malicious link given by an unknown person. 

Where You Can Report Against Vishing Attack?

Here are 3 ways through which you can easily file a complaint: 

1. On the national cybercrime reporting portal “cybercrime.gov.in”
2. Dial ‘1930’ for Filing an immediate complaint 
3. At your nearest cyber crime police station.

Closing Words

One of the most prevalent frauds nowadays is “Vishing Attack”. And every day it becomes more difficult to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent phone calls. But you can identify with the information that we have discussed in this article. Read more blogs related to cyber frauds on our official website “anuraagsingh.com”.