As technology advances and innovates, we may hope or expect fraud to become a thing of the past. Not so many! Remember that technology is fair and not only benefits ordinary people in their daily lives, but it also provides new opportunities for criminals and fraudsters to thrive, especially through a practice known as “vishing.” is important.
What is “Vishing”?
Vishing, or “voice phishing,” refers to when a scammer calls or leaves a voice message asking you to share sensitive information, such as bank account details, credit card numbers, or passwords. They are sneaky and often pretend to be part of a reputable organization to catch you off guard.
Some may use voice enhancement technology to mask their identity and mislead them into thinking they might know each other. So how do you keep these thugs at bay?
Please be careful of nuisance calls
First of all, beware of spam calls. Be especially careful if the call comes from an unknown number or someone who claims to be from a trusted organization.
Protect yourself from vishing. (CyberGuy.com)
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Scammers can make calls look legitimate by spoofing caller IDs to make it appear that the calls are coming from a familiar business or government agency.
Most of the time it means the caller’s area code is similar to your phone number or has the same first three digits. This is a serious red flag and the call or voicemail is best ignored.
Beware of scammers using voice spoofing
With the rise of AI technology, some callers can even generate audio tracks of people they know, such as from TV shows.
They may also refer to details obtained from a simple Google search for further confirmation of their identity. For example, they may claim that you are a childhood friend they may have lost touch with, and provide specific details that may lead you to believe the story further.
Microsoft says its new text-to-speech AI model called Vall-E requires only three seconds of a human voice to emulate. Pretty scary, right? So it’s best to go at a snail’s pace and refrain from taking any action until you can verify the information being provided (preferably from another source).
Verify caller identity
It is also important to verify the identity of the caller. If something looks suspicious, hang up and contact the organization directly using a known legitimate phone number, such as the phone number on their official website or on your account statement.
Do not share confidential information
If you give out confidential information, don’t do it. Real-world organizations typically don’t ask for personal information such as social security numbers, bank accounts, and passwords over the phone. Therefore, keep such information confidential to the caller.
Even if the caller claims to know you, it’s best not to provide personal information if the situation is even a little suspicious.
Beware of pressure tactics
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Scammers love to rush you in the hope that you will make a quick decision without a second thought. Calm down and take the time to verify the caller’s claims before doing anything. Even if the deal seems too good to be true, it’s likely to be.
Whether it’s the adrenaline rush when someone calls you and tells you that you won the lottery, or the fear that runs down your spine when you get a call from the IRS claiming they owe you an arm, your emotions can be overwhelming. Do not let it swing around. and legs.
In either situation, you may feel pressure to act. It’s best to wait and investigate the issue a little more closely. Additionally, the IRS will never call you.
What should I do if I believe I have been scammed?
report scammers
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please go to the FTC. Click here for the website And report scammers. The procedure for reporting fraud is very simple and the FTC will immediately send an alert to law enforcement to help investigate the scammer. By doing so, you can raise awareness and protect others from the same scams.
You can also file a report 24/7 by contacting the Better Business Bureau.
MORE: How to Avoid the Worst Dating App Scammers
Visit IdentityTheft.gov
If you provide personal information, such as your social security number, follow the steps in IdentityTheft.gov/. You can report it there and the website will help you develop a recovery plan and explain each step to regain your identity.
contact your bank
If you sent money to a scammer and want it back, you should contact your bank or credit/debit card company immediately and report it as a scam. A representative will then guide you through the process of obtaining your refund.
Use Identity Theft Protection
If you’ve been the victim of a vishing scam, you need a service that will walk you through every step of the reporting and recovery process. If you want to be proactive, one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from this type of scam is to subscribe to an identity theft prevention service.
Protect yourself from vishing. (CyberGuy.com)
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Identity theft companies monitor your personal information, such as your home title, social security number, phone number, and email address, and warn you if it is sold on the dark web or used to open an account. To do. It also helps freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent further fraudulent use by criminals.
One of the best things about using some services is that they may include identity theft insurance. Up to $1 million to cover losses and legal costsOr it may include a strong fraud resolution team with capabilities such as: US-based case manager to help recover losses.
Cart key points
Following these guidelines can help protect you and your finances from vishing scams. Always be vigilant and cautious, especially with unsolicited calls, and double-check the authenticity of the caller before revealing personal information. If in doubt, switch the call to voicemail.
Have you ever encountered a vishing scam? How did you handle this situation? Cyberguy.com/contact
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