What Is Vishing Attack in Cyber Security?

Hey folks,

So we’ve all heard about phishing right? The classic email trickery stuff. But have you heard of vishing cyber attacks? Yeah, it sounds like some kinda typo… but nope. It’s a real thing. And it’s hitting more people than you’d think.

Vishing is short for “voice phishing”. Basically, it’s a scam where the attacker calls you pretending to be someone else could be a bank, the police, your company’s IT guy, or even someone from a delivery service.

The goal? Get you to share sensitive info. Things like OTPs, card numbers, login details, or even transfer money. And because it’s voice-based, people fall for it way easier. There’s just something about hearing a real person on the phone… it makes the whole thing feel more legit.

How Vishing Cyber Attacks Usually Go Down?

Alright, so here’s how it typically works.

You get a phone call. The number may even look like it’s from your city or a known company. The caller sounds confident, polite, maybe even a little urgent.

They say things like -:

• “Hi, I’m calling from your bank’s fraud team. We noticed suspicious activity on your account. Can you verify your details?”
• “Sir/Ma’am, your Aadhar number was used in a scam. We need to confirm your identity to stop the case.”
• “This is IT support. Your company email is at risk. Please install this software now so we can secure your system.”

They create a situation that makes you feel panic, or like you need to act fast. And when that happens, most people stop thinking clearly. They just follow the instructions.

That’s how they get in.

Read Similar: Spear Phishing Cyber Attack Explained

Real Vishing Attack Cases and Why They Work So Well…

Let me tell you about a real one we handled recently.

One of our clients, a finance guy from a mid-sized firm, got a call from someone pretending to be from their bank. The caller had his full name, employee ID, even some transaction history (probably leaked somewhere online).

They said someone was trying to make a big transfer and they needed to block it immediately. Told him to confirm his debit card number and the OTP he just received.

And guess what? In under 10 mins, 4 unauthorized transactions were made. Total loss? Around 3.2 lakhs.

The guy was smart. Trained. Still got fooled.

Why? Because the attacker sounded legit. No red flags. Smooth, professional voice. Even used technical banking terms.

That’s the scary part about vishing. There’s no sketchy link to check, no weird grammar to notice like in phishing mails. It’s all in real time. No pause to think.

Common Types of Vishing Cyber Attacks

Vishing scam comes in a few flavors, depending on who they pretend to be. Here’s what I’ve seen most commonly:

1. Bank Fraud Call

“Suspicious transaction alert” the classic. They’ll ask for card details, CVV, OTP, or net banking login.

2. KYC Verification

A lot of folks fall for this one. Caller says your KYC is expired and your account will be frozen unless you update it right away. Might send you a link or ask you to download an app.

3. Government Scare Call

“You’re involved in a money laundering case.” They claim to be from police or RBI or even cyber crime dept. Try to scare you into sending money or giving details.

4. Tech Support Scam

Caller pretends to be from Microsoft, Apple, or your company’s IT team. Says your computer is infected and needs remote access. Once you install the tool, they’re in.

5. Job or Lottery Offer

You’ve been selected for a work-from-home job, but you need to pay a processing fee.” or “You’ve won a lottery!” Total nonsense but believe me… still works on a lot of people.

How to Spot and Block Vishing Attacks?

Now the important part… how do you protect yourself and your team?

1. Never Share Sensitive Info on Call

Banks will never ask for OTPs or PINs over the phone. Same goes for government bodies. If someone’s asking, it’s 99% a scam.

2. Hang Up and Call Back

If you’re unsure, just hang up. Then call the official number from the bank’s website or your HR team or whoever they claim to be. If it’s legit, they’ll confirm.

3. Don’t Trust Caller ID

These days, scammers can spoof numbers. Just because it says “SBI Bank” doesn’t mean it’s actually them.

4. Slow Down the Conversation

Ask questions. Pause. Don’t let them rush you. Scammers hate it when you take control.

5. Report It

If you get a call related to vishing cyber attack, report it. To your company, to cyber crime helplines, or to your bank. It might help prevent someone else from falling for the same trick.

Conclusion

Vishing cyber attacks are rising fast, and they’re not just targeting old folks or non-techies. Everyone’s a potential target now. If you’ve got a phone number and a bit of money or data to steal… you’re on the list.

Stay alert, trust your gut, and always double check before sharing anything.

Anyway, that’s it for this one. If you ever get one of those shady calls… just remember, real institutions never need your secrets over the phone.

Catch you in the next blog.

Till then, stay safe and don’t pick up unknown numbers if you’re half asleep!