Vishing: The Latest in Internet Fraud
As Internet users grow wise to online fraud such as phishing, con artists are coming up with different ways to steal your identity.
Security experts are now warning people of the latest scam: vishing (or voice-phishing).
With phishing, you would receive an email message instructing you to click on a link to confirm personal information. The link is connected to a fake website used to “phish” or get personal information such as passwords and account numbers.
With vishing, there isn’t a link. Instead, the email message asks you to call a phone number to confirm personal information.
Some vishing attacks come as calls out of the blue, in which the con artist already knows your credit card number. What the caller really wants is the valuable three-digit security code on the back of your card.
To reduce your chances of being a victim, do not give out your personal information based on an email request. If you receive a phone call asking to provide or confirm personal information, hang up and call your financial institution with the number on the back of your credit card.
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