Vishing
Also known as: voice phishing, phone scam, fake tech support call
Phishing conducted by voice call. The scammer poses as bank support, tax authorities, or tech support and pressures you into transferring money or sharing credentials.
Vishing — voice phishing — is the live-call version of phishing. The scammer phones impersonating someone with authority: a bank fraud investigator, a tax officer, a senior tech support engineer, or a government enforcement agent. The script always involves urgency, fear, and a request you would never agree to if you had time to think.
In India, common vishing scripts include “your bank account is frozen,” “your Aadhaar has been linked to illegal activity,” or “you owe back taxes and police are being sent.” In the US, IRS impersonation and Social Security Number suspension scripts dominate. Both pressure the victim to transfer money, buy gift cards, or install remote-access software within minutes.
The defense: real institutions do not call demanding immediate action. Hang up. Call the institution back using a number on a card, official website, or letter — never the number provided by the caller.