These two forms of phishing using phones rather than email. Smishing is a form of phishing through a text or SMS message, while vishing is where you receive a phone call. There’s been so much talk about phishing most of us have started to catch on and are careful about the emails we receive but cyber criminals are always looking for a new way to take advantage of us – so why not target us via our cell phones?
Smishing texts can come in different forms:
- Supposedly from your bank indicating your account has been frozen and to respond via text with your PIN, account # and other personal information.
- Or the text will contain a link asking you to update your personal information on a website using this link. Don’t click on the link and delete the message.
- Or it will be a text from a government agency telling you that you owe money for a speeding ticket, your taxes, etc., and to click the link to update or pay the fine.
- Another often seen scam, you’ve won a prize! Click on this link to claim your prize. Again, don’t click on it!
Vishing, a new twist on the phishing emails, can also come in different forms:
- May receive an email or text, again advising you that your bank account has been frozen and to call this number to have your account unlocked. The number is often one setup by the scammer to collect your account number, PIN, date of birth and other personal information.
- This form of scamming may come in as a call with the caller id showing a number that appears to be from a reputable organization.
- A legitimate call from your bank, they will usually address you by name. Vishers typically don’t know who they are calling so if they ask for your name, chances are this is not a legitimate call.
- Be wary of Caller ID. These can be fake, known as Phone Spoofing.
- Be suspicious, if a question is for confidential or personal information, whether it’s an online form, text, or over the phone, don’t respond. Better safe than sorry. Make sure you have independently validated the legitimacy of the message.
- If you receive a voice mail message, verify the call back number they leave you on the legitimate caller’s website. If in doubt, call the legitimate number on the website, and verify/validate the message and call back number you received.
- Be careful of text messages that require an urgent response or to act quickly, this is a tactic to get you to respond quickly without thinking of the consequences, this is how cyber criminals succeed.
- Do not click on the link or reply to the text message; that includes sending “STOP” unless you know who the sender is.
- Keep your phone software updates current, providers are working hard on security updates to prevent downloads of identify theft software.
- Do not call the number of a text message, you’re simply telling the scammer this is a valid number.
- Be careful of phone numbers that contain “5000” or area code “555” or are not in 10 or 11-digit formats.
- Don’t keep personal or confidential information unprotected on your phone.
- Be suspicious of text messages asking for your verification code if you are using 2 step Authentication. 2 step Authentication will never ask you to send back the Authentication number.
- Only download apps from authorized organizations: Google Play, iTunes, etc. Don’t download apps from a link received in a text, even if the text is warning that your “Phone is infected.”
Stay safe out there! If you are ever concerned about your data or company’s security, give us a call.
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