The scammers behind these attacks often cast a wide net. How do vishers and smishers get your phone number? And you have tools that might help you reduce the number of scam calls and texts you get in the first place. Yet you have ways you can protect yourself. The scammers want things like credit card numbers, account logins, and other personal information so that they can rip you off or steal your identity altogether. The con is the same as it always is with any form of phishing. The term vishing stems from a combination of “voice” and “phishing.” Likewise, smishing comes from a combination of “SMS” (text) and “phishing.” Taken all together, they’re two ways that scammers will try and reach you on your phone. Please call this number to speak to a customer service representative.” “We have detected unusual activity on your account. Maybe you get a message that goes something like:
But the voice says it’s your bank and that there’s a problem with your account. Or is it? What if it’s something important? You answer.
You get a call from an unknown number, and you wonder if you should even bother answering it. With a ring or a ping, scammers come calling and texting.