Vishing Scams – How to Tackle the Threat That They Pose? 

When users start getting smarter and more aware, hackers change their tactics too. Since people started paying more attention to the usual ways of phishing and started trying not to fall prey to it, hackers made a switch to an old yet a very effective form of phishing – vishing. 

Remember scam calling where scammers used to trick people to reveal sensitive information? Well, that’s what vishing is with a slight blend of using voice changing software. The reason that hackers use this tool is that it makes it hard for the cybercell to actually find out the location from where the calls are being made. 

Such vulnerabilities have become a reality and the sad truth is that no matter what people say, vishing has actually done some serious damage, and that too, not very long ago. 

• The entire estimated monetary loss via vishing estimated a whopping amount of 1.7 billion dollars in the year 2019. 

Hence, very clearly, it’s very important that you learn about the ways in which you can protect yourself from vishing attacks. The most effective ways have been listed below. 

1. Listen to What Experts have to Say and Follow it

When your mobile service provider or your bank says that they do not ever ask for any sensitive detail like your password details or your CVV, then listen to them. If you get a call, no matter the number appears genuine, that asks for any such information, don’t pass it on even if:

• The caller knows your address. 
• The caller knows your social security number. 
• The caller knows your name or the names of your family members. 
• The caller knows the exact amount of loan that you have taken and the exact amount of EMI you have to pay for the month. 

And, yes, we are not exaggerating – hackers do have such precise info. So, just don’t reveal your info no matter what they say or how genuine they sound. 

2. Pass the Information that You Have

It isn’t a surprise that old people usually end up falling prey to vishing. This form of phishing is of a rather psychological nature and since old people tend not to know a lot about cybersecurity practices, the chances are high that they will not be aware of any such scams going around either. 

Hence, inform them that:

• Calls related to financial details are fake if they ask for any personal information. 
• Emails that say you’ve won a lottery contain malicious links. 

In other words, awareness is the key to loosening the grip of vishing. So, play your part and let others know what you have learnt.

About The Author