Vishing: Spotting a Scam Email
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With the rise in phishing scams, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant about the emails you receive. All it takes is a single click and you can open yourself up to all sorts of dangers.
Scammers are constantly changing the tactics they use to get around spam filters. It can be easy to miss a warning sign of a scam email if you’re not paying attention to the details. Whenever an email comes in with an unfamiliar phone number, it’s important to question its authenticity.
What Is Vishing?
Vishing is one of the most popular methods for scammers. It’s a combination of “voice” and “phishing” and it uses fake phone numbers to try and get you to give up your personal information. Scammers will send emails with phone numbers that look like legitimate ones to try and dupe their victims.
In most cases, these emails will seem like they’re from a trusted source such as a bank or government agency. They’ll include a phone number which, when called, will connect you to a scammer who’ll ask for your personal information.
Fake Support Numbers & How to Spot Them
One common scam is for a criminal to pose as “tech support.” You may get an email telling you a problem has been detected with your device and to call a support number. The email may fake being from Microsoft or Apple.
If you click to call the number included, you’ll be connected to someone pretending to assist you who may ask for money or for you to download and install something on your computer.
Scam numbers will often be toll free (+1-800, +1-888, +1-844). Search the number online, and if it’s a well-known scam, you should find results revealing the danger. But even if a web search on the number isn’t bringing anything up, do not call it. Double check the official Microsoft, Apple, etc. website to see if it is actually the same number.
Most likely it won’t be.
10 Signs Of A Vishing Email
To spot a vishing email, you need to be on the lookout for the following warning signs. They’re easy to miss if you’re not careful, but if you can spot even one it could save you from a potentially embarrassing and dangerous situation.
Some usual markers for a vishing email include:
Unfamiliar or unusual-looking phone numbers: While we don’t all memorize every phone number we come across, it’s important to pay attention to any unfamiliar numbers and out of place. These numbers will usually be off by a few digits or have a different area code. Traditionally, scammers pick phone numbers that look like they could be toll-free or international numbers.
Incorrect grammar: Scammers don’t have time to proofread their emails as they often contain spelling or grammar mistakes. While these mistakes may seem like a minor issue, they’re an excellent indicator that the email might be fraudulent.
Urgent tone: Scams often employ a sense of urgency to try and get their victims to act quickly. They use words like ‘immediately’, ‘time-sensitive’ and ‘important’. This sense of urgency can lead anyone to act recklessly and reveal their personal information in their haste to comply.
Use of excessive rewards: Excessive use of rewards to try and attract potential victims is another big sign of a scam. Generally speaking, If it looks too good to be true, odds are that it is. Offers of large cash rewards, gifts, and other valuable items are usually too good to be true and should alert you to the possibility of a scam.
Odd email addresses: Scammers will often use a different email address than the one you know for the company that you’re dealing with. It’s important to check the address of the sender and make sure it is from a legitimate source.
Requests for sensitive Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for your sensitive information through email. If you receive an email asking for personal details such as passwords or bank account numbers, it’s almost definitely a scam.
Incorrect company branding: A company logo or other graphics used in an email can be a great giveaway of whether the email is legitimate or not. If the logo or graphics don’t look right, or if they appear to be of lower quality than usual, it could be a sign that the email isn’t from a real company.
Suspicious links: Links in emails from an unknown source should be avoided at all costs. If the link looks suspicious or you don’t recognize the URL, you should not click it.
How To Protect Yourself
Knowing the warning signs of vishing emails is just the first step in keeping yourself safe. Here are some tips to help you stay protected against potential scams:
Be skeptical: If you receive an email with unfamiliar phone numbers or other strange content, be on your guard and question the authenticity of the message.
Do research: If an email looks suspicious, take the time to research the company’s contact information online. Don’t take the phone number in the email at face value. Look them up to make sure it’s from a legitimate source.
Use security software: Installing up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spam software can help protect you against malicious emails.
Be cautious: Don’t open attachments or click on links from emails you don’t recognize.
Report suspicious activity: If you come across a suspicious email, don’t hesitate to report it to the authorities.
Stay Vigilant
By being aware of the warning signs and staying vigilant, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe from scams.
Vishing emails can be hard to spot, but with the right knowledge and caution, it is possible to spot them and avoid the risks that come with clicking on suspicious links or giving away personal information.
Need Help Spotting The Scammers?
We understand that staying safe online can be tough and navigating phishing scams can be confusing. That’s why we offer a dedicated team of experts who can help you identify any suspicious emails and ensure your safety.
If you need assistance or advice, we’re here to help! Contact us today and let us help you get started.
