Tech Alert

Phishing and Vishing: Protecting your Identity from Scams Using Email and Telephone

Even as computer users become more savvy in identifying phishing scams in their email, a new threat is here – Vishing. Vishing is the newest evolution of electronic identity theft that uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol software via the telephone). Rather than providing a link to click and enter information on a clone site that looks identical to a bank, credit card company or PayPal, unsuspecting users place a phone call to the number provided and enter account numbers or PIN codes. By using VoIP software, the computer that answers the call can record the keystrokes entered for accounts and PIN codes and save the information for fraudulent use.

As with phishing scams, protect yourself from vishing scams by being more aware of whom you are giving your information to and know why they are asking for it. If you are contacted and asked to verify an account number or other personal information, contact the bank or organization directly using the toll free customer service number provided on the back of your credit or debit card and not any phone number listed in the email received in order to inform them that you received a suspicious email.