Vishing Attack: How to Recognize and Prevent Voice Phishing Scams

Understanding: What is Vishing Attack?

The term vishing is a combination of two words: “voice” and “phishing.” That’s why it is also known as voice phishing. In short, vishing is a voice-based cyber attack.

However, the vishing attack is a form of social engineering attack where the attacker uses voice messages or phone calls rather than emails to attack the victim. Usually, the script of a vishing attack aims to compel victims to provide sensitive personal information by instilling a sense of urgency, fear, or helpfulness.

The attacker usually requires the identity of a reliable person or organization, like a bank, government agency, or IT support staff and applies a variety of strategies to get the victim to reveal private information, including account numbers, passwords, or social security numbers, or to start a wire transfer or other financial transaction. The construction of attacker numbers deceives victims into believing they are genuine.

Vishing attacks have been around since internet phone service companies first began offering their services. However, rather than using standard methods like websites, emails, or phone calls, attackers apply internet telephone services during the vishing process.

Phishing vs Smishing vs Vishing

It is crucial to understand the main differences among these three categories of cybercrimes before diving into the specifics. Although the goal of all three scams is to obtain private information from companies, what distinguishes them is the method by which attackers contact their victims:

• Phishing: Email attacks that trick victims into clicking links that download malware or lead them to fake websites.
• Vishing: a voice-based scam where criminals pretend to be reliable organizations to acquire private information.
• Smishing: It refers to text message scams that deceive victims into visiting fake URLs or clicking on harmful links. 

Hackers utilize the previously mentioned communication channels to impersonate reputable organizations like banks, insurance companies, HM Revenue & Customs, and Royal Mail to gain a company’s trust and obtain personal information.

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Techniques While Conducting a Vishing Attack

Through vishing, hackers employ a variety of strategies to trick people and get private data. Here are some techniques used in vishing attacks:

VoIP

The most well-known vishing technology is VoIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, which entirely hides the caller’s identity. Scammers can ensure that their Internet phone numbers do not indicate their location. These numbers usually begin with a three-digit code. 

Caller ID Spoofing

Caller ID, sometimes referred to as phone spoofing, is a type of phone scam in which callers use fake phone numbers (also called “spoofs”) to pretend to be authentic companies, banks, or government representatives in an attempt to win over the victim’s trust and get sensitive financial information or private identifiable data (PII).

This involves hiding the callers’ identities to prevent anyone from identifying them. The attacker hides their identity and location while conducting an attack by using the caller ID spoofing technique.

AI-based Vishing

With the increasing popularity of widely available free AI voice technologies, scammers have begun to use them in their vishing attempts. A few voice recordings or films can produce an attractive voice model. This advanced program allows criminals to create soundboards and voice recordings that they can use to conduct live conversations and successfully respond to the victim’s responses.

Tech Support Call

The majority of attacks of this kind target workers at big, global businesses, where they frequently don’t know the tech support employees directly. Typically, these attacks aim to obtain employee login information for future cyberattacks.

Voicemail Scam

AI vishing attacks frequently leave voicemails, increasing the likelihood that a victim may hear them. However, when used against a company, this type of fraud transforms into a standard phishing attack. Scammers will research which businesses use voice-to-text software for their voicemails, then send phony emails that appear to include a voicemail for recipients to listen to but in reality, contain malicious malware links to deceive their target.

Wardialing

This vishing strategy involves calling each person’s local area code number from a list of automatically scanned phone numbers. Using software, attackers can impersonate banks or police departments to send a message to a specific address. As soon as the call connects, an automatic, pre-recorded message starts to play. The communication may mention the necessity of sharing requested banking or other information.

‍Dumpster Diving

Dumpster diving is one method by which attackers might gather information that they can use to build trust and conduct social engineering attacks like vishing (voice phishing). Attackers frequently go more deeply into the trash of businesses that may hold important data, such as banks, financial institutions, tax agencies, and many more. 

Vishing Attack examples

Technological developments have transformed typical vishing attacks into highly convincing ones. These frauds, which exploit people’s trust and sense of urgency, mimic real companies and situations and cause harm to businesses.

Here are some examples of typical vishing attacks:

Financial Fraud Alert

The scammer contacts the victim and claims to be from their bank or another organization, telling them that there is an issue with their credit card or account. The scammer may also send the initial false notice via SMS, asking the recipient to call a specific number to resolve the issue.

Investment & Financial Solutions

Vishing scams also use links that promise large returns on investments or the opportunity to pay off debts at a value lower than the initial amount. These “offers” are typically only available for a short period, so the recipient must take action right away. 

Requesting a Social Security Number or Health Plan

Scammers make sure to get their victims to provide their private information, including their health plan number, to obtain services. Common scams involve scammers appearing as government representatives who inform victims that their social security number has been blocked and request that they verify the number to restore it. 

Pricing and billing for technical support

Attackers may use a link that opens a page, informing you that there is a problem with your device and that you need to contact a number for technical help. Another common strategy involves the criminal personally calling the victims to inform them that their device has malfunctioned and they are receiving assistance. The final stage of the service will charge a cost to fix an issue that didn’t exist in the first place.

How to Recognize Vishing Attacks?

• If someone pretends to be a member of a trustworthy organization to obtain your account details or any other private information, it could be a scam. Government agencies, banks, hospitals, or police departments never request sensitive information over the phone.
• Strange background noise, pauses, voice errors, and low audio quality could all be signs of a vishing attack. If you recognize the caller, but their voice sounds artificial or robotic, it might be a voice clone.
• Note the words being used. Vishing attacks often employ impressive language or intimidating threats.
• While a vishing scam, scammers leave behind phone numbers for follow-up calls. Check it out. If the number is different from the organization’s listed number, it might be a phishing attempt.
• Keep in mind that calls from odd or unknown numbers might be vishing attacks. If you choose to respond to these calls, be extremely careful.
• Vishing attempts frequently occur when you receive technical support calls to request remote access or download software updates.
• Pay attention to calls from coworkers, your supervisor, human resources, or affiliated businesses. This could be a vishing call if you feel under pressure to provide information or take quick financial action. 

Steps to Avoid Vishing Scam

Don’t Answer Unknown Calls

You should leave a unique number for the voicemail. You can review your message to determine its importance.

Do Not Call Registry: Sign Up Today

You may cut down on the quantity of telemarketing and vishing calls you get by using the National Do Not Call Registry. Companies risk penalties if they call numbers on the list. 

End the Call

Simply end the call if you have any doubts regarding calls from fake numbers.

Don’t Respond: Ignore Prompts & Buttons

Automated vishing calls rely on victims’ responses. You may avoid the attack by refusing to click buttons or respond to inquiries.

Caller ID Verification

You can find the caller’s company, geographical address, and other details online to verify their credibility.

Cybersecurity Awareness Training

Security awareness training is critical to avoiding successful vishing attacks. Users may learn and enforce proper practices by using vishing training activities like the ones below, which provide them with real-world attacks.

Conclusion

Vishing assaults are voice-based frauds that utilize social engineering, VoIP, caller ID spoofing, and AI voice cloning to obtain personal information or initiate scams. Scammers may pose as reliable authority, develop a sense of rush, or employ influencing language to lure victims. Avoid giving critical information over the phone, confirm the caller’s identity, and be aware of unusual demands or low audio quality to avoid vishing.

Emphasize security awareness training, let doubtful calls go to voicemail, and make use of resources like the National Do Not Call Registry. The best defense against vishing assaults is to remain aware and alert.

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