Be Alert! Vishing Scams Targeting Your Bank Account

Be on the lookout for vishing scams! Vishing is a form of Phishing where scammers impersonate bank representatives over the phone. Their goal is to obtain personal and banking information. 

Here is how vishing scams work:

• You receive a call, often with the caller ID spoofed to look like your bank’s phone number.
• The scammer claims there’s a problem with your account, like suspicious activity or a compromised debit/credit card. 
• A sense of urgency is created, pressuring you to act quickly to “fix” the issue.
• They con you into revealing your account details, PIN, secure access code, or social security number. 
• The scammers may even trick you into transferring money to a “secure account”. 

How to protect yourself from the scam:

• Your bank will never ask you to share your secure access code or account passwords. 
• If you are unsure of the call, hang up and contact your bank directly using a trusted phone number (found on your banks website or statement, not the number from the caller ID or caller).
•  Don’t be pressure into taking immediate action. A legitimate bank will understand your need to verify information before proceeding.
• Be wary of automated messages asking you to press buttons to “verify” your account information. 

Red Flags of Vishing Scams:

• Sense of Urgency: The scammers create panic to cloud your better judgment.
• Unfamiliar phone numbers: Even if the caller ID seems legitimate, be extremely cautious as phone numbers can be spoofed.
• Vague threats: Scammers often offer little detail of the supposed problem.
• Requests for confidential information: Banks won’t ask for PINs or passwords.