Banking Blog
"The number you dialed was trying to steal from you." A new message on vishing.
We have seen many examples of phishing and it is very likely that you have received an email phising scam as well. These are messages wanting you to log-on to a malicious web site or otherwise reveal your personal information.
Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP, is a low-cost way to use the internet to make telephone calls. Scammers have begun using VoIP to carry out "vishing" attacks. While you have learned to ignore those phishing emails, you could be called or get an email to call a telephone number purporting to be to your bank. Instead it is a bold scammer wanting to steal your information over the phone. Don't trust these odd telephone numbers that look nothing like your bank's number.
When detected, the Federal Trade Commission tries to shut these numbers down. But now, instead of just disconnecting them, the FTC is replacing the messages. "The telephone number you have just called has been disconnected because it may have been involved in a scam. That message was a trick. It's called phishing. Because scammers go fishing for information about you or your financial account."
Consumers should always be weary when you are contacted and told your personal/banking information needs updating, or your services are temporarily disconnected. How often does your bank contact you like this? Generally, they do not.
You log-on to your banks website to get and send information. Use the web address you have, not one in an email link. The text of the link may appear to be your bank, but in fact it sends you to a malicious web site. The same holds true for telephone numbers. Using the number in an email may connect you to a scammer anywhere in the world. Use the telephone number you know is your banks when calling them.
The link below takes you to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). It has more information on vishing attacks. And remember, like a computer virus, these phishing and vishing attacks have to be launched before there can be any actions taken to protect you. So people are exposed to these risks before any law enforcement agencies, banks and other companies can try to protect you.
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2008/081205-2.aspx
We have seen many examples of phishing and it is very likely that you have received an email phising scam as well. These are messages wanting you to log-on to a malicious web site or otherwise reveal your personal information.
Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP, is a low-cost way to use the internet to make telephone calls. Scammers have begun using VoIP to carry out "vishing" attacks. While you have learned to ignore those phishing emails, you could be called or get an email to call a telephone number purporting to be to your bank. Instead it is a bold scammer wanting to steal your information over the phone. Don't trust these odd telephone numbers that look nothing like your bank's number.
When detected, the Federal Trade Commission tries to shut these numbers down. But now, instead of just disconnecting them, the FTC is replacing the messages. "The telephone number you have just called has been disconnected because it may have been involved in a scam. That message was a trick. It's called phishing. Because scammers go fishing for information about you or your financial account."
Consumers should always be weary when you are contacted and told your personal/banking information needs updating, or your services are temporarily disconnected. How often does your bank contact you like this? Generally, they do not.
You log-on to your banks website to get and send information. Use the web address you have, not one in an email link. The text of the link may appear to be your bank, but in fact it sends you to a malicious web site. The same holds true for telephone numbers. Using the number in an email may connect you to a scammer anywhere in the world. Use the telephone number you know is your banks when calling them.
The link below takes you to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). It has more information on vishing attacks. And remember, like a computer virus, these phishing and vishing attacks have to be launched before there can be any actions taken to protect you. So people are exposed to these risks before any law enforcement agencies, banks and other companies can try to protect you.
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2008/081205-2.aspx
posted by Andy at
12:09 PM
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