Vishing, or voice phishing, is a type of scam in which criminals impersonate legitimate organizations and attempt to manipulate victims into sharing sensitive information by phone or through a detailed voice message. They may ask for passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal details that they can use to their advantage.
The good news is awareness is your best defense. Here are key tips to follow to avoid falling victim to Vishing Scams.
Verify Caller ID
When scammers call, they might know a handful of your personal details. Criminals often use personal information taken from other sources, such as your name, address, or a financial institution you use, to make vishing scams seem authentic. If you receive a call demanding immediate action or personal details, hang up and call the organization directly using a verified number. If the caller discourages you from doing this, it is most likely a scam.
Set Up Alerts
You may receive an unexpected call claiming to be from EdFed asking you to "verify a transaction." This is a common tactic used to steal your information. Set transaction thresholds and enable alerts through EdFed 24/SEVEN. That way, you always know what is going on with your money, making it harder for scammers to deceive you. Some helpful tips when setting up alerts include:
| • | Enable alerts for a range of transaction types. | | • | Choose delivery methods (email/text) that come directly from EdFed. |
Register with a Do Not Call List
You can register up to three phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls. While this will not stop scam attempts, it will reduce spam callers and make spotting vishing attempts much easier.
Beware Payment Requests Via Prepaid or Gift Cards
Perpetrators will ask for payment in the form of prepaid cards or gift cards for debts victims allegedly owe. Remember, no legitimate organization will request a prepaid credit or gift card as payment. |
