Vishing

Vishing is a form of fraud in which criminals attempt to collect sensitive information from victims through the use of voice technology and phone calls. The term vishing is derived from the English words “voice” and “phishing”.

In a vishing attack, the fraudster often poses as a legitimate organization, such as a bank or government agency, and asks the victim to confirm or update their personal information. The fraudster may also try to get the victim to transfer money or valuables.

Vishing attacks can be extremely sophisticated, using technologies such as fake caller IDs, voice manipulation and automated calls to appear more credible. Victims should always be cautious when receiving a call from an unknown number, especially if the caller asks for personal information or money.

To protect themselves from vishing attacks, victims should never give out personal information or financial details over the phone unless they have initiated the call themselves or they are absolutely sure that the caller is legitimate. Victims should also watch out for suspicious calls and contact the official hotline of the organization concerned if in doubt.