The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) today raised a red flag saying it has received multiple reports on different variations of a scheme known as voice phishing or vishing.
Vishing attacks against US financial institutions and consumers continue to rise at an alarming rate and a new vishing technique is also growing, the IC3 stated. In the new scenario text messages are sent to cell phones claiming the recipient's on-line bank account has expired. The message instructs the recipient to renew their on-line bank account by using the link provided.
Due to rapidly evolving criminal methodologies, it is impossible to include every scenario, the IC3 said. Beware of e-mails, telephone calls, or text messages requesting your PII.
Vishing operates like phishing by persuading consumers to divulge their Personally Identifiable Information (PII), claiming their account was suspended, deactivated, or terminated. Recipients are directed to contact their bank via telephone number provided in the e-mail or by an automated recording. Upon calling the telephone number, the recipient is greeted with "Welcome to the bank of ..." and then requested to enter their card number in order to resolve a pending security issue.
For authenticity, some fraudulent e-mails claim the bank would never contact customers to obtain the PII by any means, including e-mail, mail, and instant messenger. These e-mails further warn recipients not to provide sensitive information when requested in an e-mail and not to click on embedded links, claiming they could contain "malicious software aimed at capturing login credentials."
The IC3 recommends that if you have a question concerning your account or credit/debit card, you should contact your bank using a telephone number obtained independently such as; from your statement, a telephone book, or another independent means.
The IC3 has been busy lately. Last week it issued a warning that it has received reports of fraudulent schemes misrepresenting FBI agents, officials and/or FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III. The fraudulent e-mails give the appearance of legitimacy due to the usage of pictures of the FBI Director, seal, letterhead, and/or banners. The types of schemes utilizing the names of FBI agents, officials, or the Director’s name are typically lottery endorsements and inheritance notifications. Other fraudulent schemes representing the FBI claim to be from our domestic as well as overseas offices, the IC3 stated.
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