What is vishing? Definition, protection from, and prevention

With phone scams growing increasingly sophisticated, it’s often hard to tell if a call is legitimate. Vishing, or voice phishing, is a common tactic that uses deception to gather sensitive information from unsuspecting individuals. Here’s what vishing is, how it works, and ways to protect yourself.

What is vishing?

Vishing, short for voice phishing, is a phone-based scam where attackers pretend to be trusted entities—like banks or government agencies—to trick victims into sharing personal information. Unlike phishing emails, vishing relies entirely on voice calls, often using VoIP technology to spoof caller IDs. These scams prey on emotions such as fear or urgency to elicit sensitive data that can lead to identity theft or fraud.

How does vishing work?

Vishers often start by gathering details from data breaches or social media, creating a convincing story that includes your name or other personal information. They then call, using a spoofed number to appear credible and invent urgent situations—such as “security issues” with your bank account. They may even employ AI to mimic familiar voices, adding an extra layer of deception.

Vishing vs. Phishing and Smishing

Phishing uses emails, smishing uses SMS messages, and vishing uses voice calls. All aim to steal sensitive information, but they vary by communication method.

Common vishing scams

1. Credit card fraud: Impersonating credit card companies, scammers cite “suspicious activity” to gather details.
2. Government fraud: Posing as government officials, scammers demand payments or personal information.
3. Tech support fraud: Attackers pretend to “fix” fake device issues, requiring access to your device.
4. Relationship scams: Scammers mimic a loved one’s voice, claiming an emergency and requesting funds.

How to recognise vishing

Vishing calls often feature unknown caller IDs, urgent requests, or too-good-to-be-true offers. Be wary of calls requesting personal information, even if they appear to come from familiar organisations.

What to do if you’re a victim

If you suspect you’ve fallen for a vishing scam:

• Hang up immediately.
• Report the incident to your bank or the organisation involved.
• Change any compromised passwords.
• Monitor accounts for suspicious activity.

Protecting yourself against vishing

• Avoid anonymous calls: Don’t answer unknown numbers; block repeat offenders.
• Limit social media sharing: Reduce the personal information you share publicly.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Secure accounts with MFA for added protection.
• Verify callers’ identity: Legitimate representatives will provide proof if asked.

By staying cautious and aware of common tactics, you can avoid falling for vishing scams. Using security tools like Expert VPN also adds a layer of protection by securing your online activity and reducing exposure to malicious sites.