Vishing

Vishing (short for “voice phishing”) is a scam in which attackers use phone calls to deceive people and obtain their personal information, such as credit card numbers, passwords, or other sensitive data. This type of scam is becoming increasingly common, so it’s important to know how to recognize vishing and how to protect yourself from it. 

How to recognize:

  1. Unknown callers: Be cautious when you receive a call from an unknown number, especially if the person claims to be from a bank, credit card company, or other institution. The bank will never ask you to provide personal information over the phone.
  2. Urgent calls: If you receive a call and someone tries to persuade you to react immediately or provide personal information, always be suspicious. Vishing attackers often use urgency tactics to manipulate victims.
  3. Use of threatening scenarios: Attackers may use threatening scenarios, such as account blocking or fines, to provoke fear and panic and compel you to disclose your information. 

How to protect yourself:

1. Verify the caller’s identity: If someone contacts you claiming to be from a specific institution, request their contact information and call them directly using the official number from their official website, not the number provided to you over the phone.

2. Do not disclose personal information: Never disclose personal or financial information over the phone without verifying the identity of the person contacting you.

3. Be cautious with personal information: Do not share sensitive information such as credit card numbers or passwords over the phone, even if the person claims to be an official representative of an institution.

4. Inform authorities: If you suspect you are a victim of this type of scam, immediately inform the relevant authorities and your bank to take necessary protection measures.
Remember, the basic principle of protection is caution and suspicion towards unknown callers. Never share your personal information without verification and be cautious, as this is the only way to protect your financial and personal information from potential scams.