When your phone rings, it’s sometimes hard to know who’ll be on the other end. It might be someone vishing. Show
Vishing, a combination of ‘voice’ and ‘phishing,’ is a phone scam designed to get you to share personal information. In 2018, phishing crimes cost victims $48 million, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Here's what to know about vishing attacks and how to help protect yourself. What is vishing?During a vishing phone call, a scammer uses social engineering to get you to share personal information and financial details, such as account numbers and passwords. The scammer might say your account has been compromised, claim to represent your bank or law enforcement, or offer to help you install software. Warning: It's probably malware. Vishing is just one form of phishing, which is any type of message — such as an email, text, phone call or direct-chat message — that appears to be from a trusted source, but isn’t. The goal is to steal someone's identity or money. It’s getting easier to contact more people, too. Scammers can place hundreds of calls at a time using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology and can spoof the caller ID to make the call appear to come from a trusted source, such as your bank. Common vishing scamsAbout three-quarters of the fraud complaints reported to the Federal Trade Commission involve contact with consumers by telephone. Here are some of the common themes: “Compromised” bank or credit card accountWhether it’s a person or a prerecorded message on the other end, you’ll be told there’s an issue with your account or a payment you made. You may be asked for your login credentials to fix the problem or asked to make a new payment. Instead of giving out your info, hang up and call your financial institution on their publicly available number. Unsolicited loan or investment offersScammers will call with offers that are too good to be true. They'll say, for example, that you can earn millions of dollars on one small investment, pay off all your debt with one quick fix, or get all your student loans forgiven in one fell swoop. Typically, you must “act now” and will need to pay a small fee. Don't fall for it. Legitimate lenders and investors won't make these types of offers and won't initiate contact out of the blue. Medicare or Social Security scamPhone calls are the No. 1 method scammers use to reach older adults, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Crooks pose as Medicare reps — often during Medicare open enrollment season — and try to glean financial information from the victim, such as their Medicare number or bank account details. Then the scammer will either fraudulently use the victim's Medicare benefits or steal their money. Scammers may also claim to be from the Social Security Administration and threaten to suspend or cancel the victim’s Social Security number. IRS tax scamThere are many variations of this type of scam, but typically, you'll receive a prerecorded message. It tells you something's wrong with your tax return and if you don't call back, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Scammers usually pair this with a spoofed caller ID made to look like the call is coming from the IRS. Before you proceed, it pays to understand what the IRS can and can't do when they need to contact you. How to spot a vishing scamHere are some of the tell-tale signs of a vishing scam:
How to protect yourself from vishingAside from knowing how vishing works and looking for red flags, you can also:
How to recover after a vishing attackIf you've provided your financial information to someone who you later think is a scammer, first call your financial institution. Whether it's your credit card issuer, bank, or Medicare contact, call and ask about canceling fraudulent transactions and blocking future charges. You might also need to change your account numbers to make sure no one uses your existing accounts. Freezing your credit reports can help ensure no one can open new accounts in your name. Then file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. While vishing attacks are crafted to trick you, it's possible to learn the red flags before you pick up the phone. Stay ahead of the cyberthieves who are trying to tap your personal details over the phone. What is spear phishing phishing awareness quizlet?Spear phishing differs from phishing in that the e-mail comes from someone who appears to be from inside your organization. True. Whale phishing uses personal information to create e-mails or websites targeting senior leaders or executives with the goal of: B and C only. The most important part of a URL is the site ...
What is common indicator of a phishing attempt quizlet?The best way to recognize a phishing attempt is to call the number provided to you in a suspicious e-mail. Phishers will often send you e-mails asking that you update or validate information.
What is smishing quizlet cyber awareness?Smishing. Phishing attacks committed using text messages (SMS). rogue access point. wireless access point installed on a secure network without explicit authorization.
What is the best way to prevent a social engineering attacks quizlet?The best defense against social engineering attacks is a comprehensive training and awareness program that includes social engineering. The training should emphasize the value of being helpful and working as a team, but doing so in an environment where trust is verified and is a ritual without social stigma.
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