Let’s Talk About Vishing and Number Spoofing

Let’s Talk About Vishing and Number Spoofing

Every year victims of online scams lose billions of dollars to criminal trickery. The best way to defend yourself is by staying informed and learning about the tactics criminals use to steal people’s money. Today we’re going to talk about “Vishing” and “Number spoofing”.

Vishing

Vishing, short for voice phishing, is a type of phishing attack where scammers use phone calls to trick individuals into providing sensitive information.  

Here’s how it works

Scammers (criminals) call you, pretending to be from a legitimate organization like your bank, the IRS, or a government agency.  They will use a sense of urgency or fear to pressure you into providing personal information, such as your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or bank account information.  Once they have your information, they can use it to steal your identity, make fraudulent purchases, or empty your bank accounts.  

Don’t be a victim.

Be wary of unsolicited calls, especially those claiming to be from your bank, other financial institutions, or government agencies These types of organizations will never call you and ask you for personal information. If you get one of these types of calls, hang up. Never give out personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call and are confident of the recipient’s identity.  

Anytime you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call the organization directly using a number you know to be legitimate. Because there is so much number spoofing going on right now (because it works), your safest when you don’t answer the phone if the number is not in your address book/contact list.

Number Spoofing

Courtesy of the FCC

Number spoofing is a technique where scammers manipulate caller ID information to display a false number or even a false name on the recipient’s phone. This deceptive tactic allows them to appear as if they are calling from a trusted source, such as a bank, government agency, or even a friend or family member.

The technology behind number spoofing is relatively simple. Scammers can use software or online services to modify the caller ID information before making a call. This allows them to display any phone number (and sometimes any name) they choose on the recipient’s phone.

Number spoofing has become a significant problem because it works so well. Number spoofing is an excellent way for criminals to get people to answer calls and provide sensitive information. Scammers use this technique to trick people into falling for popular scams, such as:

Impersonation scams: Pretending to be from banks, government agencies, or other reputable organizations to obtain personal information.  

Tech support scams: Claiming to be from Microsoft or a tech company and offering to fix computer problems remotely, often leading to malware installation or financial loss.

Grandparent scams: Posing as a grandchild in distress to extort money from grandparents.  

Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated, often spoofing local phone numbers to trick people into answering calls. This tactic, known as neighbor spoofing, relies on the assumption that people are more likely to answer a call from a familiar area code. By mimicking local numbers, scammers hope to increase their chances of success.

How to protect yourself

To protect yourself, it’s crucial to be cautious of unknown callers, even if the number appears local. Only answer calls from people you know or businesses you trust. Saving contacts to your phone can help you identify legitimate calls. Remember, if you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Many scammers don’t leave messages.

Spam calls are a constant annoyance, but thankfully, there are tools to help you fight back. Spam call-blocking apps have become essential for anyone tired of unwanted calls and texts. There are many spam call-blocking apps for Apple iPhone (iOS) and Android phone users.

Here’s a short list of some top-rated spam call-blocking apps:

Truecaller is a popular free option with additional premium features for enhanced protection, available on both Android and iOS.

Nomorobo is a spam blocker that even works with landlines. Available for both Android and iOS.

RoboKiller automatically answers and hangs up on spam calls, saving you time and frustration. Available on both Android and iOS.

YouMail uses a clever “Out of Service” message to deter spam callers. Available on both Android and iOS.

Robo Shield is a top choice for its comprehensive security features, available for Android and iOS.

According to statistics gathered by Truecaller, the number of spam and unwanted calls received by Americans averages 2.5 Billion calls every month.

The more you know, the safer you are.