Vishing

How to spot a scam

The fraudster randomly dials landline numbers in a particular region. When you answer, you hear an automated message telling you that there have been some unusual transactions on your bank account, and asking you to phone a particular number immediately. When you call that number, you get an automated message or a person posing as a bank employee asking for your bank details and passwords. This information will then be used to steal your identity, make online purchases or access your bank account.

Alternative version: someone phones you, pretending to be an employee at your bank, and tells you about a suspicious purchase.  You are then asked for your personal details to verify whether fraud has taken place.

What to do if you receive a scam phone call:

Fraudsters use stress and fear to create a sense of urgency around the possibility that you have been the victim of fraud.

• Never give out your bank, personal or any kind of information over the phone.
• If you get a message asking you to call a particular number, do not dial this number.